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Sunday Edition April 05, 2020 Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

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GECOM has to rely on Govt. to p.

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facilitate recount Regent and Camp Sts were nearly desolate yesterday due to COVID-19 lockdown

Police, Procurement Commission GTT asks should be called in to investigate staffers to Ministry's purchase of ventilators take pay cut p.

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2020 Elections fiasco...

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T&T PM disappointed with state of affairs in Guyana

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Sunday April 05, 2020

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Sunday April 05, 2020

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Police, Procurement Commission should be called in to investigate Ministry's purchase of ventilators

A

ttorney-at-Law, Sanjeev Datadin is of the firm conviction that the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) and even the Guyana Police Force, should be called in to examine the sole sourcing of 14 ventilators by the Ministry of Public Health from Caribbean Medical Supplies.

Over the past few days, the Ministry had come in for scathing criticism for sole sourcing the ventilators that are needed to support the respiratory systems of COVID-19 patients.

Observers questioned whether there was an advertisement for the said medical equipment and whether the supplier benefitted from insider information on what the Ministry needed.

Public Health officials had vehemently denied claims of improper dealings while noting that it had contacted several suppliers to provide the ventilators but Caribbean Medical was the only one that responded. It should be noted that up to press time, the names of the other companies along with the dates of when they were contacted for the supply of the ventilators were not provided by the Ministry but a commitment was nonetheless given to do just this.

Taking the foregoing into consideration, Datadin said,

look at the matter and based on its findings, decide on whether the police need to be called in.

Chartered Accountant Chris Ram was also supportive of this call while categorically stating that every effort must be made to remove the cloud of suspicion that cloaks this deal.

Attorney-at-Law and PPP Candidate, Sanjeev Datadin

Chartered Accountant, Chris Ram

TIGI Head, Dr. Troy Thomas

“It is important that medical equipment and other pharmaceuticals be sourced from credible people because it is a matter of life and death.

But it appears that a company with little to no track record is being awarded these contracts because they have some improper contact or contract with persons who are responsible for securing these deals on behalf of the government.”

The lawyer added, “Now you have to understand why procurement is so important.

It is important because the government needs to get the best bang for its buck, meaning, they have to get the best deal but when you sole sourced, the way they did, with a company that is not the authorized distributor in Guyana and who would have no ability to repair anything

at least not as an authorized dealer in Guyana then that is dangerous.”

Further to this, Datadin said that the matter is one which needs the urgent attention of the authorities since there are very strict requirements that must be satisfied before one can sole source in this way. From all appearances, Datadin said that those requirements have been bypassed while adding that other reliable companies were not contacted.

The PPP Candidate stressed that the situation is one which warrants an immediate investigation by the Public Procurement Commission while adding that the details of how the company came to be contacted needs to be placed in the spotlight.

As for head of Transparency International

Guyana Inc. (TIGI), Dr. Troy Thomas, he was keen to note that the situation Caribbean Medical supplies Inc has found itself in does raise suspicion D r. T h o m a s s a i d , “Looking at previous reports, I observed that the company had ventilators for a while and information about what has happened regarding the procurement needs to be made public.”

The Head of TIGI agreed that the Commission needs to

GTT asks staffers to take pay cut

T

he biggest t e l e c o m s company in Guyana has asked workers to take a pay cut amid measures to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the last few days, workers at the US-owned Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT), have been in back and forth talks with management over conditions.

Staffers indicated that a decision was taken to send home none-essential employees and keep back technicians and others.

For the workers at home, they will be collecting 60 percent of their salaries.

H o w e v e r, f r o n t l i n e staffers have been objecting to proposals made by

management, including from Chief Executive Officer, Justin Nedd.

Those proposals would see technicians calling customers with complaints of faults in advance and screening them before visits.

Technicians were being told that they should ask customers if anyone in their household is sick and from what. However, technicians said they had no problems with that.

What they had a problem with, however, is being asked also to take a pay cut.

“Management has seen it fit to ask some staffers to stay home because of risks of Coronavirus and asking us to work. No big deal, but we in the frontline and our families at risk too...”

GTT's CEO, Justin Nedd In fact, the workers said that they should be getting from GTT a risk allowance.

“We getting problems with even protective gear including gloves and sanitizers. Everything is a risk and GTT wants us to take a pay cut.”

According to the (continued on page 12)

COMPLAINT FILED O n M o n d a y, l a s t , Trinidadian firm TransContinental Medical Products Limited had filed a complaint to the Public Procurement Commission asking for a probe into the purchase of the 14 portable ventilators.

The company in its complaint said, “As a supplier, capable of providing a range of ventilators, portable and otherwise, who have been working with the Ministry for many years, we were not made aware that the Ministry had sent out notices asking for the supply of ventilators. We must now question if these 14 ventilators were procured

following proper procurement procedures.”

It added, “…specifically, we are asking for details of advertisements, and other public documents/notices which would help establish the validity of this transaction.”

It should be noted that a principal of Caribbean Medical, Davendra Rampersaud, is before the courts, after a quantity of expired HIV test kits ended up on the local market. Those kits were sold to the Ministry in January.

T h e Wo r l d H e a l t h Organization has asked local authorities to ensure that the kits are pulled out of use.

An investigation has also been launched in Kenya where the kits were supplied from. It is believed that the kits were part of a batch donated to Kenya by the US, using donor funding.

The Ministry has said it is continuing to investigate the matter. So did the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GAFDD).

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KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: SHARMAIN GRAINGER Tel: 225-8491, 225-8458, 225-8465 Fax: 225-8473 or 226-8210

Editorial Considering the consequences of sanctions Increasingly, there are more and more local calls for sanctions, and veiled, but escalating warnings from international powers that matter about them being on the table. We at this paper have to make a hard call and say that, as much as sanctions may send an unequivocal message to a perceived rigged government, the consequences may be unbearable for those in this society, who would feel them the most.

There is one possible element in the application of sanctions that possesses some trace of the positive, which may lead to the nationally beneficial. It is that ruling leaders who ignore such, do so to great personal reputational risk, and may see the light and throw in the towel, to do what the circumstances require and step aside for the good of society, or to participate in an internationally brokered solution.

But this is as far as any good news would go. The rest is all negative and stark in the contemplation.

First, leaders threatened with sanctions seek sanctuary in sovereignty and the nonnegotiable nature of national dignity and pride. As they do so - a la Kim Il Sung (and son), Nicolás Maduro, and Raoul Cedras to name a few they feel backed into a dark, deep corner and dig in their heels, with the worst anticipated, sometimes relished.

Second, let this first truth be faced: however mild or draconian the sanctions levied, it is the mass of the poorer in the populace, which feels the worst effects: the shortages, the slowdowns, the prices, the expanding economic and social gloom.

Leaders and members of the elite casts - be they commercial or political, civil or professional - jump in their air-conditioned vehicles to go to their air-conditioned homes and are able to pay higher prices in the air-conditioned supermarkets and stores for the daily necessities that are off-limits for the ordinary man in the street. He and she and their children are consigned to public transportation which, as is characteristic, would squeeze them and take advantage of them, adding to their woes.

In addition, many members of the elites, should push come to hard shoves, have the facility to be able to rush for the airports, jump on a plane, and elude the pain and the problems in the domestic arena. Many of them can do so when the restrictions related to COVID-19 are lifted. The bottom line is that the smaller citizen, the more vulnerable section of the population is left to feel the brunt of any sanctions effected.

Third, the possible arrival and results of sanctions may be seen by some as a remedy for political sicknesses and stubbornness. On the other hand, sanctions have another fallout, maybe the hardest of all: they exacerbate the heavy racial and social tensions that are now so thick that it would require a jackhammer to cut through the impenetrable steel of their existence.

To go a little further, what sanctions do is to furnish another bludgeoning, and unsparing daggers - many such daggers - of the reciprocal accusations and counteraccusations about who and which group is responsible.

Already, it could be foreseen, and the argument is accordingly made, that the endless finger pointing and blame game would take the form of which side called for them versus which side was responsible by its actions and miscalculations for the presence of them.

It would be still another extension of the polarizing racial, social, and political differences and bitterness now occurring, through foreign interventions and pressures, but with the fallout crippling at the widespread domestic level. The kind of movement in the direction pushed for solves nothing, but brings back to the same place of great anxieties and greater animosities.

In sum, however examined, the little people, the great bulk of the citizenry, would be made to pay many times over for the decisions of others. This could be taken to yet another place. So, sanctions force the coalition to its knees and brings it to its senses. The choices are clear: the coalition steps aside and the opposition assume governance of the nation with democracy supposedly prevailing.

Without a doubt, this is both shortsighted and limited Continued on page 5

Sunday April 05, 2020

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The truth on trial in Guyana DEAR EDITOR, Two greedy rats were trying to divide a piece of cheese to make sure that each one gets half. They decided to use a scale but still could not settle this simple dispute so they invited an old wise rat who was happy to accommodate. He bit from each piece to arrive at two equal pieces and ended up eating the entire piece of cheese. Does this story sound familiar to what is happening in Guyana?

Election was held in Guyana on March 2nd 2020.

The two major political parties did not trust Guyanese to monitor this simple process so they invited a host of high powered, credible international observers who spread themselves all across our nation to monitor our election and they were all satisfied that the election was conducted in a fair and honest manner, which brought high praises from all contesting political parties.

The votes were counted and everything seemed to be going well until we got to Region 4 and that is where the “truth went on trial”.

Now, before I proceed, I

want to make it abundantly clear that I am not and have never been an active supporter of any political party. I am 74 years old and have never been granted any favour from any politician or party because of affiliation and no one can ever prove that I have ever made a racist statement. Therefore, I think I can qualify myself to speak as an independent.

Now, I am going to put truth on trial and as a Christian, I would like to hold this trial against a verse from the bible, which I am sure all parties will accept because it does not embrace a religious view. It is found in John chapter 8 and verse 32. “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free”.

This verse makes it abundantly clear that truth brings freedom while dishonesty brings hardship, keeping people in bondage.

May God have mercy on anyone or group who attempts to peddle anything that is not the truth, as dishonesty comes with divine consequences which we do not want on our nation.

As we proceed, my advice to our politicians and every

Guyanese citizen is, “Truth is more valuable than the new oil discovery. Embrace it as this is the only way we can expect God’s blessing on our nation.”

I am going to list the sequence of events following the elections and will apologize in advance if the dates and or quotes are incorrect. But I would like to invite every Guyanese to be a fair juror and judge truth as presented in this case.

March 04: Local press reports state that after declaration of 8 regions except regions 4 and 8 the opposition leads by roughly 52,500 votes.

March 05: GECOM declares APNU/AFC Coalition wins Region 4 by 59,077 votes. All opposition parties, all local and foreign observers declare that this result was not transparent and had not been verified.

Opposition obtains injunction against declaration of election results.

March 11: The Chief Justice ruled that there had been substantial noncompliance by the Returning Officer for Region 4 in his purported declaration of

results for that region and that the results are therefore null, void and vacated. Mrs George Wiltshire said that the Returning Officer for Region 4 must produce the Statements of Poll (SOPs) during the tabulation of votes for his electoral district.

March 13: International community walks out on Region 4 counting and GECOM declares Region 4 results similar to previously declared results.

March 14: APNU/AFC Coalition and Opposition leaders agree to a CARICOM supervised recount of the ballots in all ten administrative regions.

This was a complimentary move and praised by all parties.

March 15: Senior CARICOM personnel arrived to monitor the recount however, the start of this was delayed for various reasons.

March 17: CARICOM supervised recount aborted because of injunction granted to APNU/AFC Coalition representative to stop the recount.

March 31: Full court determines that injunction was wrongfully granted.

Continued on page 6

Sunday April 05, 2020

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From all appearances, the Coalition has lost

Desperate times calls for desperate measures

DEAR EDITOR, Though I had warned to manage expectations, I still harboured faint hopes that norms would prevail, that selfrespect would take priority, and that whatever processes are agreed upon and employed would be the end of the matter.

My lingering optimism was that all of this would lead to the final stop in this most grueling, controversial, and disputed of electoral seasons.

And, despite all instincts crying against, thatsomehow-we would be able to proceed up the road towards higher ground, a smoother plain.

I must be as empty headed as the rest of my hardheaded Guyanese brethren. There was scant chance that the called for, pushed for, and much needed recount would settle this manmade political crisis once and for all. Something has to be wrong with me to place any faith (any whatsoever) in hoping-gambling, reallyagainst overwhelming odds and the house.

It is a fool’s endeavour. It is the most foolish, the most inexcusable, exercise in thinking that committed and determined political players would walk the line required by doing the right thing. The

coalition is not doing so right now; not to any degree, not by any rational measure.

For here it was that there came an announcement about clearance for a recount, and preparations were being finalized to be set in motion, to close this conflict over allegations of rigging, who actually won, and who really lost. From all appearances, and I must say it in the clearest and simplest manner, the coalition has lost.

One more time: it has not won. For now its actions present a mosaic of compelling pictures of the proverbial drowning man clutching at straws, any fragile straw that may be imagined to offer the fingernail grasp of a harbour before the storm of accuracy that threatens to demolish.

For here it was that a coalition commissioner stepped into the public arena to articulate the unbelievable, the now increasingly and undeniably desperate, and the unendingly disturbing, in its significance and implications.

According to another media outfit report on April 3rd, the following summed up the thinking and present position of the coalition, “Recount does not mean automatic declaration of

Considering the consequences...

From page 4 in the scope of thinking and vision. For there are several hundred thousand voters and more related citizens, whose reaction would be that they, in turn, have been robbed, that the processes and developments conspired against them to cheat them. And this would be after they were told and conditioned and pressed to believe that they have won.

Though the ultimate objective of sanctions is to facilitate democratic processes giving rise to democratic government, there is clear and hard evidence that this society (any half of it) is not ready for the sacrifices and sharp growing pains demanded.

There is a single question remaining: to where and what, then?

In view of our fragile institutions and even more fragile social fabric, the outlook is not good, but of the incomparably grim. For what we have may not be able to contain or manage, to any acceptable degree, that with which we may be compelled to live. It is clear that democracy, whatever its many merits, proves unacceptable to a wide cross-section of this country.

In effect, what we may have, at best, is racial democracy.

Now taking a different tack, the international community being invited and encouraged to apply sanctions should already be wise enough to appreciate the end game of sanctions, from its possible political retreat to the significance and implications of what follows thereafter. As is desired by those calling for sanctions, it would be the successor government envisaged should a recount provide the grounds in which to do so.

It goes without saying that the international community is fully cognizant of what is able to work at some reasonable governance level in this country, given its conflicting social and racial pressures wisely and clinically considered. The community is on record last year as stating that it would take a different form of governance to manage the oil wealth discovered.

Having said all this, we wish to be clear: we set out with one objective only, which is to lay out the pros and cons of international sanctions. That old saying reminds all Guyanese: be careful what is wished for; understand fully what is involved.

Appreciate our limited options. Decide on what is best, given what we have and where we can go.

winner -GECOM Commissioner Alexander.”

The questions come tumbling down. If it doesn’t, then what does it mean and where does that lead? If the arithmetic of a recount is dismissed and discarded before any such exercise commences, then why go to the trouble?

Why proceed down a path that is already doomed to rejection of some sort?

Why engage in yet another exercise in futility, without the requisite good faith, but with intentions that may be best described as unacceptable; or, at its worst, perverse?

I say that if this is mindset at this time, then let’s stop this thing right now, since it proves nothing, solves nothing. That is, other than opening another avenue for the perpetuation of imperiling squabbling, deepening racial tensions and hostilities, and ongoing suspension of crucial continuities so needed by any society, as part of its marches in daily life and towards whatever lies beyond.

This is most urgently needed now in the face of the grave viral cataclysm that menaces. I do not know with any authority what lies beyond (other than the upheaving); I do not know what the esteemed commissioner said in full beyond that remarkable headline (my dismissive practice that only the predictable follows the captions).

But I do know this: that whatever he and his party meant, for I don’t think he spoke uncleared or unthinkingly; he is too much of a seasoned veteran in operating in the political Continued on page 6

DEAR EDITOR, The corona virus has brought global life to a near standstill – Disney is out of magic, Paris is no longer romantic, New York doesn’t stand up anymore, The Chinese wall is no longer a fortress and Mecca is empty.

Businesses and schools are closed.

There are shortages of basic necessities, panic is being provoked amongst people, large gatherings have been cancelled (such as religious events, weddings, sports events, concerts), travelling is restricted, curfews are placed and it is obligatory for every individual to remain at home.

These advisories are unfortunate but necessary and requisite actions that must be followed in order to battle this widespread plague and rid the grave consequences that is occurring.

According to World Health Organization/ Pan American Health Organization (WHO/PAHO), COVID-19 has affected 206 countries and territories around the globe, attacking over a million people and causing approximately more than 60,000 deaths and counting. The world is left with self-isolation, a blunt tactic to slow the virus, potentially sparing the hospitals from catastrophic overloads of patients.

While it is natural to panic, do not allow fear to limit our attempts to battle this virus. Fear suppresses immune function by triggering stress hormones which will increase susceptibility of viruses to attack our bodies. Therefore,

precautions must be taken – stay indoors, do not be in close contact with anyone as this virus is so distinctive individuals does not know if they are infected until late stages - when it has attacked or is attacking the lungs.

Wash your hands with soap frequently, practice effective waste disposal, disinfect homes daily and be cautious when handling currency. Ensure you are having sufficient rest, practice personal cleanliness, maintain healthy diets by replacing fast-foods with foods containing vital minerals and nutrients that strengthen the body. Replace panic with reason and strengthen your immune system with enhancers such as Vitamin C, Zinc supplements, fever grass, black seed oil, honey, and citric fruits.

It is very important to note that people with underlying conditions are at very high risks of suffering from critical conditions or even death, if infected by this virus. These individuals have very weak immune systems which increase their chance of becoming susceptible to this life-threatening illness. It is vital that such individuals, especially those suffering from Rett Syndrome, Autism and other disabilities, are safe, sheltered and offered support if necessary.

Parents and family members must make it their primary duty to ensure safety

and health measures are in place for themselves and loved ones.

They should remain indoors and if deemed necessary to leave, they must make sure to dress with the protective wear (gloves, masks).

When individuals are trapped and silenced by a disability, they have no means of communicating their feelings, which makes it very difficult for this virus to be detected and before any treatment can be taken, it may be too late.

It is therefore the responsibility of the Ministry of Health to share mitigation tips and protective measures for not only non-disabled individuals, but also older folks, pregnant mothers, children, disabled people, asthmatic patients and HIV/ AIDS infected individuals.

Not forgetting, people with psychological/mental disabilities, may be in particular distress due to this pandemic.

The Government of Guyana should ensure that mental-health support services, personal assistance and physical and communication accessibility are in place for everyone.

Guyana’s government should advise and instruct people that this virus is not to be taken lightly and jokingly. If the population is not concerned, we will have a repeat of events of previous plagues that happened in Continued on page 6

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The time for APNU/AFC to call it a day has arrived A recount will not bring DEAR EDITOR, Democracies among the continents of the world. us closer to ending the It is generally felt that there is a small cabal within the PNC (2)The cabal is still living in the world of half a century ago party who feel they could hang on to office by non-credible or and has little understanding of the new IT. It is this ignorance current impasse fraudulent elections as LFSB did. But in the over half-a- which caused their people in GECOM to attempt fraud in full century since LFSB has passed away, the world has changed which makes fraudulent elections far less possible and to attempt to hang on to office in such circumstances is counterproductive by the day. For example, the foreign minister’s recent riposte to the USA and the other Western countries is not only diplomatically rude but is contradictory. For example, in one breath she says “Guyana appreciates the role and work of all election observation missions”. . . but in the next breath she rejects the findings of the observers and a few weeks before, she threatened to expel them by removing their accreditation. This kind of thing will happen the longer the cabal tries to hold on to office. In the interest of themselves and preventing the PNC party from being further weakened and ridiculed they have to act now. The only dignified exit remaining is via completing the recount immediately. President Granger showed himself far in advance of his colleagues and very far-sighted when he decided to do the recount with CARICOM involvement. The time has come for the cabal to call it a day.

The following are the ways the world has changed which makes fraudulent or non-credible elections impossible: (1) From 1990 the USA and other Western countries had invested hundreds of millions of dollars in reestablishing Democracy in Guyana and they have no intentions of losing their investment by allowing Democracy to be destroyed and Dictatorship to resurge. Further, the USA has now evolved a new policy, just as they did the Munroe Doctrine in the 19th century, of creating an American continent where all countries would be Democracies - an oasis of

view of the Television cameras and smart phones.

(3) The decent and intelligent members and supporters of the PNC do not approve of the tactics of fraud and are distancing themselves from the Cabal and the Party. This is unfortunately permanently weakening the Party.

(4) They are now desperately trying to boil the pot of racism.

(5) The PPP party is different from the days of Burnham and Jagan who were close friends. The PPP are resolutely committed to upholding Democracy and will not be moved from this despite cajoling and threats. When the PPP lost the last elections by one vote, they gracefully and democratically passed on the Government to the APNU/AFC. And not only the PPP leadership and its followers rock-like are committed to democracy, but the educated and intelligent supporters of the PNC are likewise committed. The few who are trying to do electoral fraud based on racism will fail.

(6) The cabal and its followers are openly boasting that they could survive and overcome sanctions from the USA and others. They are under an illusion if they think they could defy and defeat the greatest superpower on Earth.

The cabal must now realise that there is now no possibility of an acceptable or successful fraud and each day that passes brings with it more trouble and odium on their heads. The time has now come to call it a day and exit by the only opening left - the recount - put the fraud behind them, redeem themselves and plan on winning the next Election in the next 48 months.

Yours sincerely, Paul validum Ramlochan

Desperate times calls for desperate...

From page 5 other countries, where the streets were flooded with dead bodies and the burial grounds were filled.

Considering our current state of economy, we may never recover after losing hundreds or even thousands of our population. Guyana can never survive such a deathdealing virus, especially with the lack of treatment for infected persons as well as, how carelessly and naively we are taking such a serious issue.

Even though our elections period has not concluded, the Government should channel its focus on the safety of our people and urge every Guyanese to stay

away from crowds and gatherings. They should reassure the nation that their safety comes first and the only way to rid this catastrophe is self-isolation and social distancing.

Additionally, just as shirts and flags were widely distributed during campaigning periods, they should ensure that basic necessities, hand sanitizers, masks, medications and foods are distributed to the less fortunate. As a current administration of Guyana, they should ensure that better treatments for COVID-19 patients are in place in order to safe-guard the lives of our people.

The truth on trial...

From page 4 There is much more to be said on this subject, which I am sure you have been obtaining through Facebook, the newspapers, WhatsApp and telephone calls and many of you have come to your own conclusion but I will like each one to revisit everything that has brought us to this stage as we put “the truth on trial”.

Guyana is being threatened with sanctions if a President is sworn in without a transparent counting of all votes. If this happens it will bring serious damage to our country. Sanctions aside, the international community wants the truth and I am sure that once truth is presented and we have evidence to support our presentation they will compliment us, support and help our country on our journey to development.

In the books of Acts chapter 9 and verse 5, Paul the Apostle was warned with these words from God, “It is hard to kick against the pricks which equates to fighting against God.” In fact, he was advised to “stop being stubborn and surrender to the truth.”

Without fear or prejudice, I would like us to call on our politicians, Judiciary, GECOM and all others involved to embrace the truth as this is the only way we can move forward as a nation and be favoured with God’s endorsement.

What is your verdict?

Yours sincerely, Harold Beharry

Many governments around the world have found that the best way to prevent and reduce cases of this virus is not only to implement curfews but to order total lock-downs, where people are only allowed to leave for food, household items or medications. Such democratic governments are making it their institutional duty to protect their citizens so that people with serious illnesses can seek medical care, and infectious persons wouldn’t pass it on. While Guyana may not be ‘a light switch’ that can easily be shut on or off, ceasing most human contact is the only way to eliminate this virus and to keep the population safe. It may be extreme and nearly impossible, but desperate times calls for desperate measures.

One of the most important things governments can do to protect people during pandemics or crisis, is to consult with them regularly to make sure policies meets their needs, for, transparent governments are essential. We, as Guyanese, should isolate ourselves and maintain social distancing.

We can all sacrifice shopping sprees, salon and spa days, clubbing/partying, travelling and social mixing for the health of ourselves and others.

No one knows when life will be unfrozen or when we will be able to walk the streets without masks/gloves and relief ourselves from the fear of someone sneezing or coughing around us. We

must try as hard as possible to stay safe and pray, as prevention and prayer is powerful. There will come a time when all of this will be a distant memory.

There will be a ‘corona baby-boom’…, and there will be a rise of businesses because all the entrepreneurs had a moment of stillness to muster their creativity and innovation. We will remember when we were given the opportunity to spend quality time with our families and loved ones because time stopped for us. We will remember the time our health was our first priority and we will learn from that experience.

Since we had no other means of coming together, we will remember the laughs and memorable moments we shared on social media. We will remember a time we took for granted the true heroes – doctors, nurses, attendants and ambulance crews, and how we have come to respect them.

We will remember how we aided in the termination of the virus because we stayed at home. We will remember how we created a global community and we gave our earth a break causing a decrease in climate change.

We will remember that there was a global rise in solidarity and while the streets were quiet, our homes were filled with love and laughter.

Although the situation is serious, we must focus on the silver lining, we are all in this together and after hardship comes ease.

Thank you, Hadiyyah Mohamed

DEAR EDITOR, Given the transgressions of the last month concerning the March 2nd elections, most Guyanese are eagerly awaiting the recounting of the votes and the subsequent declaration of the results. Thus, GECOM’s commitment to recount the votes is a welcome ray of light in this otherwise dark and troubling time.

However, most Guyanese remain very wary given GECOM and the APNU-AFC various maneuvers to delay this exercise thus far.

It should come as no surprise that the APNU-AFC and their cohorts have invested considerable time, effort, and money to delay and/or prevent a credible process. Thus, they have no incentive to ensure that the recount is completed since they already know the results. The mere fact that they have called for the recount to begin in numerical sequence even though there is little or no contention over the results declared for nine regions is yet another ploy to delay the much-anticipated Region Four recount.

So, despite GECOM’s latest assurance to conduct the recount, there is little expectation that this exercise will begin, much less be completed in a timely manner. Even if the recount begins, it will be interrupted by hook or by crook. And even if it is completed, the declaration of the results by the Chief Elections Officer, whose conduct thus far leaves much to be desired will be hit by further legal and/or illegal roadblocks.

While the nation waits with deep trepidation, it is no coincidence that the one-month coronavirus lockdown just happens to be announced on the very day that GECOM agreed to recount the votes. While no one is questioning the public health risks posed by the coronavirus, it was only a matter of time before this pandemic was exploited to further frustrate a process that should have been concluded weeks ago.

With an expected further delay ensuing, it is less likely that the recount and formal declarations of the results will be known anytime soon, if at all. Given the strong international condemnation and threat of sanctions, I imagine that the APNU-AFC’s next move is to push for new elections while illegally remaining in office. Not only will a new election be a further waste of taxpayers’ dollars, it will not be free, fair, and credible given what we have seen this last month.

Yours faithfully, Omchand Mahdu

From all appearances...

From page 5 minefields of Guyana, where there are so many unexploded devices, he spoke for his party. Well, Commissioner Alexander did hurl an unexploded one in the midst, and it blew me right out of the water. There is not much left to analyze, to weigh in any way; and this is regardless of whoever interprets and however “does not mean automatic declaration of winner” is interpreted, since it is sure to be pointless and furious.

I have already interpreted that statement by how my thinking operates, and this leaves me no place but to go where my remaining senses lead, which is to this summit (or depth).

It is clear that the coalition is committed to any course, which ensures that it does not relinquish power (written about repeatedly preelections) should the realities of counts and observers so conclude. Or that, at best, it is also committed to salvaging whatever may be gleaned from the results of a recount that reports it has failed, it lost.

That doesn’t sound like democratic norms to me; that positions to be close to

undemocratic conditions that more and more look inevitable (also cautioned about by me continually). Whatever the case, the vision, the objective(s), this is wrong; and, once more, this is not something with which I could live.

It contributes immensely to unmoving claims and the sharpest of contentions about rigging and fraud and the rest. I had given the benefit of the doubt; now, I am prompted to say that I cannot and will not be any part of such, near to any of this. As much as I recoil at the thought of the opposition at the helm, which I believe even more firmly is unworkable because of how much it is found unacceptable, I believe that what started out as the rules and standards must prevail, must proceed to wherever they lead.

Thus, I say let truth and accuracy be the order of the day, and there be no other way. Then, let’s this thing terminate. It is long past the time for us to move on.

Circumstances will take care of themselves. Or us.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

Sunday April 05, 2020

PAGE 7

Kaieteur News

‘GHRA proposes release of some prisoners, other measures to reduce COVID-19 spread

The most striking thing about the new Coronavirus (COVID-19) is how quickly and comprehensively it has paralysed life around the world.

The universal response has been to lock-down the society and keep people away from each other.

For this reason, the emergency regulations issued Friday are justified in aiming to rely on vigorous social distancing measures to combat COVID-19.

This is according to the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), which yesterday said that justification for the measures is rooted in the fact that there is no cure for COVID-19. “…so the only absolutely sure way to stay safe is not to contract it. The medical community can only help the infected by testing early and assist them to recover. With respect to the emergency regulations, the GHRA would urge they be enforced in a sensible and humane manner.

Hopefully, the insensitive manner in which arriving passengers were reportedly quarantined in the early stages of the emergency was due to nervous unfamiliarity and has been since corrected.”

With respect to the emergency regulations, the GHRA said it is concerned that no reference has been made to the situation in the country’s prisons.

“After health personnel and indigenous people, prisoners and prisons staff are the most exposed category of persons in the country. In particular, the Lusignan facility was never intended to be a prison and constitutes an ideal incubator for COVID-19. Hygiene, lack of fresh air and water, the grimy conditions inevitable with so many persons in a

The GHRA has recommended early release for prisoners to reduce risks of spreading COVID-19.

concentrated space, all point to the urgent need for reducing the numbers.”

The body said that those in society who view prisoners as social garbage might care to remember that prisoners can reach the end of their sentences and prison staffers go home every evening.

“The society is not quarantined against its prisons.

The GHRA recommends that application of social distancing is especially critical in prisons and that several measures be considered to reduce overcrowding.”

GHRA recommended that all sentences for possession of marijuana or other secondary category drugs be commuted to time served.

“All remand prisoners for non-violent crimes be reviewed and bail reduced. All prisoners whose sentences are within three months of completion be released early. All women prisoners for non-violent offences be commuted.”

The body noted that these recommendations are

also made in light of the very limited medical services currently available in the prisons, where not even the services of the medex are available full-time.

There were also concerns about the communities of the indigenous people and the risks.

“Considerable concern was expressed last week over the first case of COVID-19 being identified in an indigenous community in Brazil, in the region North of Manaus by the Colombian border. In light of the history of indigenous communities decimated out of existence by successive waves of epidemics, the concern is wellplaced. Guyana’s indigenous communities are no exception in this regard.”

The GHRA pointed out that the border communities in Regions 1, 7, 8 and 9 are vulnerable.

“The influx of refugees is one source of worry. The more threatening one, however, is domestic. Miners and mining-related trucking to mine-sites and community shops are a particular source

Trans Guyana Airways facilitates flights for Canadians to return home Trans Guyana Airways yesterday facilitated two flights to Barbados for Canadians to return to their homeland.

Kaieteur News understands that two flights were chartered by the Canadian Authorities.

Trans Guyana Airways is said to have transported 28 Canadians to Barbados where an Air Canada flight was waiting to transport them to Toronto.

The two flights were scheduled for 8:30 am on Saturday at the Eugene F. Correira International Airport at Ogle. Kaieteur News understands, the Canadian authorities by way of the Canadian High Commission have been in contact with nearly 400 Canadians to offer them the option of returning to their country.

With the increasing concerns over the spread of COVID -19 here, the Canadian High Commission has been working to ensure that their citizens return safely home.

Last week, the United States Embassy in

Georgetown had already helped over 800 US citizens and their families to reach the US safely. The Embassy in a statement noted that it has already provided a procedure for citizens living in Guyana who want to return home.

“The State Department is rising to meet the historic challenge posed by the COVID19 pandemic, every day all over the world.

The US Government has no higher duty than to protect American citizens,” it said on its Facebook page.

Only recently, it stated its intention to help facilitate travel for US citizens on an Eastern Airlines flight slated to have left the Cheddi Jagan International Airport for Miami, recently.

US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch recently released a statement, telling all Americans in Guyana how hard the embassy has been working to assist those who would like to return home.

of concern. Movements of strangers into the villages need to be brought to a halt and indigenous leaving the communities reduced to essential travel. Gold-mining and other non-essential activities in the interior should cease for the period of the emergency.”

According to GHRA, while more vulnerable to the virus, however, the life-style renders indigenous

communities capable of surviving catastrophes, lockdowns and shortages much more readily than their coastal counterparts.

The association noted that the social distancing strategy places the responsibility on staying safe squarely in the hands of individuals.

“Staying at a distance prevents our giving or receiving the virus physically to each other. Social distancing rules apply to everyone, not just strangers or sick people. In family situations this is best achieved when we come home by carefully wiping down bags or things we introduce into the home, including our shoes, personal belongings (cell phone) and other things that the virus might have settled on outside.”

The GHRA said that people in crowded communities under curfew and general lockdown spend their days living in yards with other people.

“These are the most challenging situations in which to practice social distancing. Success will be

determined by the extent to which the community can devise imaginative ways of assisting themselves and everyone. The GHRA would recommend an approach to policing the curfew based on a progression from empathy, education, encouragement and finally to enforce.”

The body acknowledged that while a number of community-based organizations have lost their traditional vigour, enough religious and voluntary organizations still retain basic networks that can reinforce social distancing.

“They are better-placed to identify the kinds of people who need assistance. In addition to the obvious ones – the elderly and infirm – people who have lost their jobs and have no income, people who need help with children, medical personnel who may need support to enable them to be at work for long shifts. Additionally, community-level initiatives to disseminate information to keep people healthy, such as breathing and exercise techniques are also more effectively disseminated at community level.”

PAGE 10

Sunday April 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

Police to find “creative ways” to enforce COVID-19 curfew – Nagamootoo

By Shikema Dey To keep the number of COVID-19 cases down in Guyana, the Public Health Ministry on Friday implemented a month-long

curfew order.

The order in place outlines a number of measures including persons being restricted to their homes with only essential workers allowed out.

The restrictions have halted all crowds at weddings, funerals and religious places of worship, creeks and pools.

But even with the curfew system activated, it is clear that some people are not

A crowd of persons standing near downtown Stabroek Market yesterday. heeding the measures invoked by virtue of the order.

At some hotspots in the city large crowds of persons have continued to gather void of protective gear and other recommended measures to safeguard themselves while in the public domain.

When asked what would be done to ensure the enforcement of the curfew, head of the National COVID19 Task Force and Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, stated that the police will have to find “creative ways” to do so.

At the time speaking during a virtual media conference yesterday, Nagamootoo explained that the measures “have to be enforced by the police”.

He said too that, “those who are violating the law, they will have to suffer for the violation.”

“It is the same with the taxi and the minibus…if they are not maintaining this order,

this is law; and if it says maintain one half of your capacity then it shall be one half your capacity. It is not going to be may or maybe. It shall be. It must be.”

Nagamootoo, however, pointed out that incarceration is not being viewed as an option to deal with defaulters as this can pose a serious health risk to the already sanitized prison facilities.

“In some situations, you can’t think about putting people in prison because there would be no space to hold them and then if you take people from outside and bring them in, you may be contaminating the sanitized prison with those who might have been infected.”

“Maybe we need to have a creative application in relation to those who continue to feel that they can pack their mini vans and their taxis like sardines endangering the lives of others,” the PM said.

Expounding on his “creative ways” comment, the head of the task force referenced clips from social media showing police in India beating residents who violated the curfew.

“The police men were out there with their bamboo and they were beating those guys who flouted the curfew. And this worked because the streets were cleared.”

The Prime Minister noted he has high hopes that with increased police presence, persons will adhere to the curfew and, if not, the police can use strict measures to ensure that the order is followed.

“This is me talking…if it’s necessary to go into the bars, if they got to pull them out of the bars by their ears, I will say yes, get them out, send them home. And that’s the way to go,” said Nagamootoo who is all for “strict enforcement or else these measures gonna be a laughing stock.”

A minibus packed with passengers despite the COVID-19 orders.

Sunday April 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

Sunday April 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

2020 Elections fiasco...

T&T Prime Minister disappointed with state of affairs in Guyana

T

he Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Keith R o w l e y, i s d e e p l y disappointed with the situation in Guyana, where an amicable conclusion is yet to be reached on the General and Regional Elections that were held over a month ago.

During an interview with Elizabeth Williams of TV6 Tobago, Dr. Rowley said that on a daily and sometimes nightly basis, he is in contact with the Chair of CARICOM, Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, on the situation here.

“But speaking as Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago and as a Caribbean person, I am very disappointed and very concerned about the situation in Guyana,” Dr. Rowley said while adding, “I am getting a feeling that this is not going to end well. I hope I am wrong...”

But what was even more

troublesome to the Trinidadian Prime Minister was the fallout that took place after there appeared to be an agreement between the country's leaders that a highlevel CARICOM team would overlook the recount of the elections.

In mid-March, the CARICOM Chair had disclosed that President David Granger and Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, agreed to a recount of all the votes for the 10 administrative regions.

The Independent High level team that was supposed to oversee the process was chaired by the former Attorney-General and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Dominica, Ms Francine Baron, and comprised former Minister of Finance of Grenada, Mr Anthony Boatswain; Senior Lecturer in the Department of Government of UWI, Ms Cynthia Barrow-Giles; Chief Electoral Officer of

Barbados, Ms Angela Taylor; and Chief Elections Officer of Trinidad and Tobago, Ms. Fern NarcisScope. But when they arrived in Guyana, a legal challenge in the name of APNU Supporter, Ulita Grace Moore, sought to block the recount. The CARICOM team left Guyana after this development.

Reflecting on the foregoing, Dr. Rowley said that the leaders of Guyana were told that the end of an election is counting of the ballots and it was his belief that this was instilled in his Guyanese colleagues and that there was agreement.

He said, “...We sent our Chief Election Officer to be a scrutinizer, not to interfere with the process but just to look at it to bring comfort to the people of Guyana that the figure that is going to come out of there, having been scrutinized by a CARICOM team (was going to be

credible), and then the next thing we knew was that our presence was met with a legal challenge and accusations against CARICOM so we had to get out of there.”

At this point, the Prime Minister said he is not sure where this leaves CARICOM's involvement going forward. He recalled as well that CARICOM had an opportunity to speak to all the leaders of the 11 political parties while noting that they got the benefit of CARICOM leaders' experience and the comfort of their presence.

He said, “I don't know where that leaves CARICOM now and that is why I have this very unsettling feeling with every passing day. I am hopeful that something happens that puts an end to this. It cannot

go on like this because it is not going to end well. And nobody is going to benefit from this in Guyana.”

The Prime Minister added, “...I saw coming out of Guyana, some advice from experienced Guyanese and I trust people would be able to take it and bring an end to all of this. There is too much at stake.”

During the interview, the PM was asked to say if he believes CARICOM would be comfortable if Granger is sworn in as the next President but he declined to speak in this regard. Instead, he said he would leave that for the CARICOM Chair to answer.

He did note however that Trinidad remains “deeply involved” in the situation in Guyana and it has played its role at the level of CARICOM. He also

TT's Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley reminded that the headquarters for CARICOM is in Guyana which also increases reasons for concern.

The Prime Minister concluded, “...We can't accept a situation where at the headquarters' territory, what is being threatened (such as international sanctions if credible elections aren't had) comes to past. That is why I am hoping for a speedy conclusion which the Guyanese people can be comfortable with going forward.”

GTT asks staffers to take...

From page 3 workers, they are already worried about the risks from the virus, which has seen a lockdown of the airports and borders and a countywide, month-long curfew.

They are also asking GTT for additional phone credit.

“GTT is giving credit to doctors and nurses for free. We commend that. What about us who have to do the work and

working under new conditions of using our phones to call customers?”

The workers are calling for the administrators of GTT to rethink their plans to cut salaries, especially for technicians.

The news would come as a number of companies have announced measures to reduce impact on employees.

At least one bank has taken it upon itself to pay workers cash as part of the measures.

Kaieteur News

Diana Ahmad

Sunday April 05, 2020

Meet this week's most captivating beauty, Miss Diana Ahmad. This gorgeous belle was one of the contestants in the Miss India Worldwide Guyana 2019 Pageant. One of her favourite quotes is, “The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves.�

PAGE 13

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Sunday April 05, 2020

Leading the way in health crisis management in Region Seven...

Dr Edward Francis Sagala is a 'Special Person'

By Rehanna Ramsay

I

t's around 6:00 am in Bartica, and Dr Edward Francis Sagala is already on his mobile phone checking in with doctors and healthcare workers across the region.

This is part of his daily routine as Regional Health Officer (RHO) for Region Seven.

His duty is to check to ensure that the teams of doctors and nurses at Kamarang, Jawalla, Imbaimadai and Issano mining communities located miles apart in the sub-region of the CuyuniMazaruni - have the necessary equipment and support they need to execute their duties.

“It is just part of my day's work here,” Dr Sagala said with earnest humility. In fact it is this quiet dedication

and service that earned Dr Sagala, several local accolades and the spotlight as 'Special Person' for this week's edition of Kaieteur News.

These days, Dr Sagala has been spending much of his time planning and implementing measures in to

“

across the world.

And though health planning, disaster and crisis management are among his areas of expertise, Dr Sagala is quick to point out that this is not a one-man show--it calls for a combined effort.

“We cannot be selfish with this one! Everybody

I have my home here in Bartica and I can't see my see myself living anywhere else. So, I must state with the greatest humility, I am honoured to be giving back to this community and region at the level of healthcare.

tackle the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID -19) in Bartica and its sub-regions.

Dr Sagala and his team are among the brave and dedicated healthcare workers on the frontline of the battle against the global pandemic in Guyana and

Dr. Sagala receiving the Golden Arrow of Achievement, for exceptional service, from President Granger in 2016

”

must play their part. In the healthcare sector, transportation service, the marketplace…everybody has a part to play, because team effort is crucial in preventing the spread of this disease. Therefore, people everywhere must understand that they are part of this team effort. They must practice the necessary hygiene and social steps to protect themselves and others. The goal is to prevent the disease.”

A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE AND PROUD TO BE GUYANESE Dr Sagala knows from experience that in situations like these, prevention is certainly better than cure. In fact, his leadership capacity was tested when the nation faced critical circumstances, namely the Cholera Outbreak and the Cyanide

Screening arriving passengers at Bartica is part of efforts to tackle COVID-19 in the region.

Spill at Omai Gold Mines which occurred in Guyana in 1995.

In fact, the Senior Public Health Consultant (Medical Doctor) has over 38 years of experience in the field of medicine, of which thirtyplus years have been in the field of Health Management.

Though he was born in Tanzania, East Africa, the respected healthcare provider is every bit of a patriotic Guyanese. His dedication dates back to the nation's post-independence era.

“I was privileged to serve under every Executive President and Government of Guyana since then -- from Burnham to present,” Dr Sagala said.

With most of his career given to service of the Guyanese populace, Dr Sagala was employed at different levels of the local health sector. At the peak of his career, he held the portfolio of Chief Medical Officer (CMO) at the Ministry of Health.

He did have a stint in the British Virgin Islands and his birthplace of Tanzania.

Nonetheless, Dr Sagala is resolute of his dedication to these shores. He explained “I had the opportunity to live elsewhere, but I love Guyana. I am proud to be Guyanese!”

Dr Francis Sagala According to Dr Sagala, “Guyana reminds me of my b i r t h p l a c e Ta n z a n i a , especially Bartica, where I currently reside-- there are many similarities with the people and culture.”

“I have my home here in Bartica and I can't see my see myself living anywhere else.

So, I must state with the greatest humility, I am honoured to be giving back to this community and region at the level of healthcare. ” CAREER HIGHLIGHTS Prior to embarking on a successful medical career, Dr Sagala received his academic foundation in the Tanzanian school system. He attended Primary and Secondary in Tanzania before securing a spot at the

Higher Institute of Medical Studies (ISCM) Santiago de Cuba.

He graduated as a Doctor of Medicine (M.D) in 1982 and later obtained from Leeds University, United Kingdom, Masters in Public Health (M.P.H) 1988--under a programme sponsored by the Pan American Health Organisation and the World Health Organization( PAHO/ WHO).

At the height of his career, Dr. Sagala wrote scholarly articles on maternal mortality, infant mortality, occupational health and safety and malaria prevention in Guyana.

Among the publications is the dissertation titled “The Resurgence of Malaria in Guyana, South America”, (continued on page 43)

The doctor (at left) preparing for surgery with two members of his team

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 05, 2020

PAGE 15

The problem is deadlier than the cure

T

he government has belatedly announced a partial lockdown of the country after four more coronavirus cases were confirmed on Friday. The total number of confirmed cases now stands at 23.

It was only last Sunday, one week ago, that this newspaper issued a front page comment. It pointed to the grave dangers which lie ahead and called for a lockdown.

The newspaper noted the casualness with which Guyanese were moving around the country, and suggested that they were not taking the threat seriously. It reminded the country of the various advisories which the government had issued, and the fact that the limited testing which was being done would understate the actual numbers of carriers of the virus.

It speculated that things may be far worse than they appear. At the time, the total number of confirmed cases had risen from four to eight.

Kaieteur News was prophetic when it said that we may have already crossed the danger threshold.

It called for a lockdown.

“Businesses”, it said, “which do not provide non-essential services should be closed immediately. A curfew from 8 am to 6 pm each day should be imposed. Bars, casinos and gambling places should

be closed all day. Public gatherings, including religious services or sporting events, of more than 10 persons should be prohibited.”

In acknowledging that the measures would involve sacrifices, the newspaper said that this was necessary if Guyana was to survive the pandemic, given its poor health system.

The response to that call was predictable. Some businesses voluntarily closed, but the numbers were never sufficient to impact on local spread.

It was only after the total number of confirmed cases almost tripled to 23, and the total number of deaths doubled to four, that the government did what it should have done one week earlier – order a lockdown.

The President ordered entertainment spots to be closed from 6pm to 6 am each day. The order was made on Thursday. Yet on Friday when the expanded restrictions were made, another media house discovered that some bars were being opened and frequented by persons who were imbibing and having a good time. This is inexcusable.

T h e b u s i n e s s community's response, g e n e r a l l y, h a s b e e n opportunistic. While supporting the calls for social distancing, the

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry called on the business community to establish measures for hand sanitizing, and for restaurants, bars and liquor stores to close at 7 p.m.

The majority of the members of the Chamber do not fit into this latter category, and in effect the Chamber was calling for a 7 pm closure, a time when most of the businesses of its members would have been closed anyway.

This is the sort of selfinterested positions which sections of the business community take, and which made it impossible for it to be relied upon to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

The government eventually did the right thing and imposed a partial lockdown. The measures announced still need some fine-tuning. It had to be pointed out, for example, that telecommunications and the media are essential services.

Another important service which should be considered is remittances.

The government may not have realized just how many persons actually rely on remittances for survival. It would be best if banks offer only automated services and if money transfer services are kept open for a few hours each day.

Some essential services

are large employers, but not everyone needs to be on the job at the same time. Most of the employees can be “on call”. These are suggestions as to how to reduce the number of persons working at any one time.

Not all paddy farmers have reaped their paddy.

These farmers will go bankrupt unless they are allow to reap, mill and replant.

This should be allowed.

There is no need to prevent persons from accessing their farmlands, because without this food will become short,

and prices will increase beyond the reach of the poor.

Vendors have already become unconscionable in their mark-ups.

Some of them are peddling their non-essential items, even though this is not permissible under the directive issued by the Minister of Public Health.

The partial lockdown will be painful. But the problem is more dangerous than the cure.

Unless this virus is stopped and stopped quickly, a great many persons here are going to die. Among the

high-risk groups are persons over 60 years. There should have been a prohibition on these persons leaving their homes.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 16

Sunday April 05, 2020

CARICOM should help, but Guyana must save itself

By Sir Ronald Sanders

T

he image and standing of Guyana are being tarnished throughout the world. Yet, a small window of opportunity remains open for the country to be regarded as democratic, and for its government to be hailed as legitimate.

All the players in Guyana - the political parties and their leaders, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), the Judiciary and civil society groups – should work toward that noble goal.

For if Guyana is not respected internationally as a democratic state, and its government is not seen as credibly elected, it will be isolated from regional, hemispheric and international activity that will hurt its people irreparably.

The first indication of the gravity with which the international community regards Guyana's situation

was given by the Commonwealth of 55nations on April 2, exactly one month since the general elections were held on March 2 without a declared result.

Through the Ministerial Action Group (MAG), its watchdog for abuses of human rights and d e m o c r a c y, t h e Commonwealth “strongly iterated that any Government which is sworn in without a credible and fully transparent vote count and tabulation process would lack legitimacy”.

And they “called upon the GECOM to immediately fulfil its constitutional mandate and ensure the sovereign right of the people of Guyana to duly elect their Government is respected through a transparent and credible counting and tabulation process”.

W h i l e o ff e r i n g “ t o provide assistance to ensuring a credible and transparent conclusion to the

electoral process in accordance with the will of the people as expressed on 2 March”, the Commonwealth Ministers were clear that, were it to become necessary, they would “convene an extraordinary meeting to discuss the situation and explore appropriate options”. Take that to mean exclusion of Guyana from the Commonwealth.

The Commonwealth action would be replicated by the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the European Union.

Collectively, the member states of these three groupings represent Guyana's major trading partners, and the countries that provide it with access to the global trading and financial system.

Practically, they could cripple Guyana, and its “sovereignty” - much proclaimed over the last month by those who reject the concerns of the global community – would be

meaningless.

That “sovereignty” would not save Guyana from sanctions bilaterally applied by the powerful countries, international organisations and financial institutions with the capacity to do so.

What would be the benefit to Guyana, as a nation, or to its people as individuals, for such a scenario to unfold? Neither those courting sanctions nor those urging their application would gain in any way. Far better for all players to uphold the principles and values enshrined in the nation's Constitution and in the Charters of the Commonwealth, the InterAmerican System and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to which Guyana is a signatory.

By doing so, GECOM would order a recount of all the votes cast under the supervision of a high-level CARICOM team, consistent with the Agreement of March 16, signed by President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharat Jagdeo. The result of the elections would then be credible to all - domestically, r e g i o n a l l y a n d internationally. Then, a much needed Government could be established to get on with looking after the wellbeing of the Guyanese people, especially now when the country, like all other nations, is gripped by the deadly tragedy of COVID19 and urgent measures are required to save lives.

Incidentally, in playing a role in Guyana's elections, CARICOM is doing no more than carrying out the requirements of the Revised Treaty Chaguaramas (the CARICOM Treaty), by which, in its preamble, CARICOM governments accepted their various agreements based, in part, on the Charter of Civil Society which the Conference of Heads of Government adopted on 19 February 1997.

At Article VI, under heading, “Political Rights”, the Charter states that “The States shall ensure the existence of a fair and open democratic system through the holding of free elections at reasonable intervals, by secret ballot, underpinned by an electoral system in which all can have confidence and which will ensure the free expression of the will of the people in the choice of their representatives”.

The language could not be clearer.

CARICOM's role is not “interference” in the domestic affairs of a foreign country; it is participation in “community affairs” which is the essence of the revised CARICOM Treaty and the Charter of Civil Society that preceded it. It is often overlooked that “CARICOM” is the acronym for “Caribbean Community”.

And, by helping Guyana to maintain its democracy, CARICOM nations would also be strengthening their own

Sir Ronald Sanders collective standing as proud democracies where human, political and civil rights are preserved, protected and promoted.

It is also significant that the Commonwealth Ministers in their April 2 statement “encouraged CARICOM to remain seized of the situation in Guyana”.

The Commonwealth recognised that CARICOM, more than any other body, has a clear right to be involved in Guyana.

What Guyana must remember is that its leaders were among the key founding fathers of CARICOM, of “Caribbean Community”, of regional integration and of all that comes with it.

No one played a greater role in its creation than Guyana's first independence Prime Minister, Forbes Burnham.

Every Head of Government of Guyana since then, including the present Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, has remained faithful to it.

CARICOM still has a role to play in supervising a transparent recount of all the votes of March 2nd so that a credible elections result can be declared acceptable to all.

It owes it to itself as much as to Guyana to play that role.

It was not by chance that the Commonwealth and the (continued on page 42)

Sunday April 05, 2020

PAGE 17

Kaieteur News

---Hinds’ Sight by Dr. David Hinds---

Scrap the election and install an interim govt.

I had the good fortune of growing up, politically, in one of the decisive political movements in Guyana and the wider Anglophone Caribbean. I speak of the radical post-colonial movement that spawned the first three decades of independence. It was a movement that began with the Black Power upsurge of the mid to late 1960s and morphed into an anti-dictatorial movement that sought to transform Caribbean society away from its colonial legacies.

In Guyana, the movement had several organizations, some of which came together to form the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) in 1974. By the time I formally joined the movement, the cry for Black Power had given way to a broader cry for People’s Power.

I was still very much a teenager who had been socialized in a very Afrocentric village where it was commonplace to feel for and think strongly of your cultural heritage. I therefore took defence and affirmation of my African identity as a norm. I didn’t think that I had to make apologies to anyone about that.

Of course, seeing the indomitable Eusi Kwayana in the flesh everyday playing his role on the national stage and apologizing to nobody for being African, obviously played a role in my youthful cultural boldness. So, when I joined the WPA and became part of the People’s Power movement, I saw no reason to shed my Black Power. And nobody asked me to. Not

Rupert Roopnaraine or Moses Bhagwan or Joshua Ramsammy or one of my favourite comrades, Bissoon Rajkumar.

The radical People’s Power Movement in which I grew up was multi-racial in leadership and followership.

It had to be. After all, this was Guyana, a very multiracial society. My participation in that movement taught me two fundamental things about ethnicity.

First, true multiracialism or multiethnicity means balancing your cultural identity with your commitment to a broader ethnic equality based on a shared humanism. Second, fidelity to your ethnic identity should not be a barrier to standing up to the wrongs of your ethnic group. I take those teachings with me wherever I go and to whatever issue I lend my activism.

Time moved on and so did that radical movement in which I cut my political teeth.

Ironically, that multiracial movement was undermined and eventually dismantled by the very logic of its activism.

The electoral democracy which we fought for turned out to be the antithesis of multiracialism.

The post-1992 “democracy” was characterized by a most dangerous ethno-domination by the elites of one ethnic group and extreme marginalization of another.

This domination was supported by the working people of that group. As the political marauders consumed every facet of life in Guyana, many African-

Guyanese blamed the African-Guyanese leadership of the WPA for overthrowing our own “dictator” and empowering the “dictator” of another ethnicity to once again enslave African-Guyanese.

That was a telling criticism that could not be ignored. We have never discussed it within the WPA, but all of us have had to grapple with it. None of us regretted our activism against the African-led PNC regime. If confronted with the same regime again, I would join the fight against it. But there is a but. This time around I would not only oppose the regime, but would pay as much attention to what we replace the regime with.

That was one of the big lessons of the anti-dictatorial movement of the 1970s-80s.

We fought for democracy, but did not sufficiently appreciate how “democracy” could turn into ethnic domination and ethnic marginalization. Our struggle for “democracy” had delivered our country into the hands of what Freddie Kissoon called “Ideological Racism”. To be fair, the WPA wanted the outgoing regime to be replaced by a power sharing Government of National Unity, but the more electorally powerful PPP had other ideas, and the rest as the say is history.

Fast forward to the present. Since the NoConfidence Vote of December 2018, we have witnessed the emergence of a cabal—not a movement—that is prepared to use the rhetoric of democracy to reinstall the old regime that was cut short in 2015. Since there is no dictatorial PNC to justify their

“democracy crusade”, they had to create one. And they were helped by some PNC leaders who stupidly walked into the trap set for them by treating the Coalition as if it were a PNC government.

History will forever be unkind to them for that basic error. But even so, the APNU+AFC government was not dictatorial, and did not have a pattern of abuse of the rule of law. Mistakes yes, but dictatorship no.

But that does not deter the PPP from mobilizing a lot of decent and upstanding citizens of mostly one ethnic group to lend their names to this most recent defence of democracy. The symbol of the death of democracy is the ongoing saga which they claim was precipitated by the PNC’s attempt to steal the election.

I honestly think the democracy crusade is ultimately an enabler of one side of a bitter fight with ethnic overtones. I refuse to lend my name to that crusade which predictably is interpreted as support for rigging. Nothing I say to the contrary will change that perception, so I would not try.

I will not join any democracy crusade that would set one race against another or empower one race party over the other.

But I will say this. Armed with a history of activism and with the memory of recent

history, I think this impasse could be an opportunity for a reawakening of our desire to live together in harmony. As uncomfortable as the last month has been, maybe it’s a blessing in disguise—an outcome to remind Guyanese that Guyana belongs to all of us.

Towards that end, I have lost interest in what is in those ballot boxes. I do not think national reconciliation and a peaceful Guyana reside in those boxes. The content of those boxes spell trouble— more trouble. Perhaps there will be a recount. And neither side would accept the outcome of that recount if it is allowed to be concluded.

And God knows what would happen.

On March 10, Henry Jeffrey, Clem Seecharan and I appeared on a radio program hosted by Dennis Chabrol.

Jeffery and I agreed that the results of this election would get us nowhere and floated the idea of an Interim government.

I repeat my proposal here.

Scrap this election. Destroy those boxes. Install an Interim Government led by Granger as president and the PPP man as Prime Minister. Divide the Cabinet equally between the two sides. Go back to the old parliament. Set up an Independent Commission tasked with structurally overhauling GECOM, changing the governance architecture and the electoral

Dr David Hinds laws to ensure outcomes that are in keeping with power sharing. Give them two years to do that and then go back to elections.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper) More of Dr. Hinds’ writings and commentaries can be found on his YouTube Channel Hinds’ Sight: Dr. David Hinds’ GuyanaCaribbean Politics and on his website www.guyanacaribbeanpolitics.news.

Send comments to dhinds6106@aol.com

PAGE 18

Sunday April 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

The monster of Pakaraima Mountain

By Michael Jordan Do strange things sometimes happen in the hinterland? I mean baffling, sometimes terrifying things that cannot be easily explained away? You bet they do!

I had my own weird experience in 1993, when a dredge owner whom I had befriended invited me to stay in his camp in the Cuyuni. I readily accepted, since I saw it as an opportunity to write a few features about the interior, and to do some research for a project on which I was working.

As it turned out, I almost regretted my decision. The food was bountiful, the scenery was beautiful, but, for some reason, I could not sleep at night in that Cuyuni camp.

My hammock was near the outer perimeter of the campsite; and every single night, when I lay in my hammock, I had this intense, disquieting feeling that something was staring at me from the jungle with evil intent.

I couldn’t explain it. It wasn’t as if I was a stranger to the interior. I had spent almost a year at Papaya, the National Service camp in the North West. At night, the mist was thick and you could hear

the howling of baboons from the nearby jungle. A few of the young women were prone to a strange fit that we called ‘anta banta’. This would cause them to run screaming into the misty night.

But this experience at Cuyuni was different. I began to dread nightfall. I would lie terrified in my hammock, my eyes drawn to a section of the forest from which I sensed this malevolent presence, praying for dawn to come. I greeted the end of my stay in the jungle with a sense of relief.

Those nights in the Cuyuni came back to me in October 2008 during an interview with a resident of the Rupununi.

People who know me well know that I am curious about so-called ‘supernatural’ experiences in the hinterland.

I asked this Rupununi resident about his own unusual experiences, and he admitted that he, personally, had never experienced anything inexplicable.

But he did relate some unusual but true stories about the hinterland. His view, though, seemed to be that there was a logical explanation to many of these stories, even if one of these stories was about a monster in a mountain.

THE PAKARAIMA MOUNTAIN MONSTER He told me that there is a mountain in the North Pakaraimas, and the myth is that a monster inhabits it.

He said that there is heavy undergrowth of bush at the foot of that mountain, and, looking at it, it was not difficult for him to imagine that those bushes concealed a cave in which some fearsome being lurked.

The story about this ‘monster’ begins with a young woman from a community of the North Pakaraimas.

She had no children, and was also widowed.

According to the story, her husband’s battered body was found in the village.

The superstitious looked at the injuries on the body and concluded that he had fallen victim to a ‘Kanaima’, a sort of assassin in Amerindian lore with supernatural powers, including the ability to change into a jaguar.

Eventually, though, the woman married again; and one day, in the seventies, several residents, including the woman and her second husband, went on a fishing expedition near the mountain.

The other villagers eventually left, while the woman and her husband

remained behind.

The woman, it is alleged, also decided to go home while her husband opted to continue fishing.

But nightfall came and the man failed to arrive home, and the following day, villagers launched a search for the missing man. They were shocked when they eventually stumbled on his battered body near the same mountain. Again, some concluded that the second husband was also the victim of Kanaima’s wrath.

Because he was found near the mountain, others concluded that something had emerged from the mountain and killed the husband, before retreating again to its lair.

The woman married a third time. He is believed to have escaped the wrath of the ‘Kanaima.’

THE MYSTERY OF THE VANISHED PROSTITUTE My friend went on to tell me about another unusual incident which occurred in the North West.

‘Baby’ was a prostitute who used to travel to the Potaro to solicit porkknockers. In the late 1970s, she eventually struck it rich, and, laden with raw gold, decided to walk from the

Potaro River to Maikwak, a mining settlement some three days away for someone travelling on foot.

For reasons unknown, ‘Baby’ decided to let a male friend accompany her on the journey. ‘Baby’ never made it to Maikwak. She just vanished, never to be seen again.

The man who was accompanying “Baby’ on the journey alleged that he was walking ahead of the prostitute on a trail when ‘Baby’ began to tire. He claimed that, when he eventually looked behind him, there was no sign of ‘Baby’.

According to the man, he assumed that the prostitute had mistakenly taken another trail.

About three years later, a hunter discovered a human skull in the Kopinang area.

The skull had one gold tooth, and this made some speculate that the victim was the longlost ‘Baby.’

Police were informed, and the skull and a few bones were buried at the same spot.

However, the remains were

never identified.

SHARLO’S DIAMONDS There was no mystery to the third story.

‘Sharlo’ was an old St. Lucian man who had several claims in the interior. He was the licenced owner of a shotgun which was so old that it would sometimes fall apart.

One of the claims that ‘Sharlo’ had was located in the Potaro, and he worked this claim with his teenaged grandson.

From all accounts, the St. Lucian’s claim was a profitable one, and it seemed that seldom a day went by without the old man locating a diamond or two.

A short distance from ‘Sharlo’s’ claim was another claim belonging to a Bartica miner known as ‘Django’.

While ‘Sharlo’s claim was productive, the claim owned by ‘Django’ yielded little.

Now, ‘Sharlo’ was an affable fellow, and every day he would go over to ‘Django’s camp and show the Continued on page 23

Sunday April 05, 2020

PAGE 19

Kaieteur News

==THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN==

2020 Elections: The dream died in July 2015 In my Friday offering, I described an encounter on the steps of Nirva Supermarket on Sheriff Street with one of the close friends of Raphael Trotman. He asked (his exact words); “what has this government done to so earn your wrath?” In that Friday piece I did not describe my answer. I will now.

In so doing, I will also offer readers what I have composed several times in these pages before the March 2 election – the reasons why APNU+AFC will lose the 2020 poll. Without exception, I insisted that because of performance, they did not have the numbers to take them over 51 percent.

On the Naim Chan

morning show on channel 6, three days before the election, Chan asked for my prediction.

I said a minority government for either PNC or PPP, with my last words being that APNU+AFC just haven’t got the numbers. From my examination of what I believe is a true reflection of the votes, from what I saw on Tuesday (March 3) evening from credible, neutral people, I was right.

So why did APNU+AFC lose in 2020? Surely, a newspaper column cannot do justice to such an analysis.

Before the reasons, a word on Cathy Hughes. In the AFC’s November 2019 press conference hosted by Mrs. Hughes and Dominic Gaskin,

over the PNC’s reluctance to formally accept Khemraj Ramjattan as Prime Minister, Mrs. Hughes blurted out that the PNC has never won a general election on its own.

She was right, but she was also under an illusion, a deep one that she was not aware of.

What Mrs. Hughes meant was that if the PNC never won on its own, it will not win in March 2020 if it goes on its own without the AFC. The illusion lies in the head of Mrs. Hughes and the rest of the AFC’s hierarchy, because the PNC was on its own electorally since the 2015 election results, and went on its own in 2020, because there was no AFC.

The monster of Pakaraima...

From page 22 younger miner the precious stones he had found. This went on for some time, until one day ‘Sharlo’s body was found in his mining pit. He had been shot in the head with his own shotgun, which lay nearby.

The precious stones he had gathered were gone…and so was Django.

But someone had witnessed the deed.

S h a r l o ’s grandson would later tell police that he had peeped from the bushes and had seen Django making off with the o l d m a n ’s d i a m o n d s .

Persons also recalled seeing ‘Django’ walking on ‘the line’ to Maikwak.

The suspect was eventually arrested and taken to Georgetown, where he was charged and remanded for Sharlo’s murder. But, for some reason, I am told that Sharlo’s grandson never testified against Django, and the accused was eventually freed.

They say that Django migrated to Brazil, where he

suffered the same fate that he had meted out to old Sharlo.

After he had finished telling me his stories, my friend from the hinterland attempted to put his own logical spin on the events.

Explaining the myth of the ‘Pakaraima Mountain monster’, he suggested that the woman might have killed or arranged the deaths of both of her husbands, possibly because of an extramarital relationship.

In the case of ‘Baby,’ the prostitute, he suggested that the male friend who had accompanied her on the trail killed ‘Baby’ and made off with her gold.

And that set me thinking about my Cuyuni experience.

Had there really been something in the jungle? My conclusion now is that, at the

time, I had been working hard on a story based on Amerindian folklore, and that my research had caused my imagination to work overtime.

Listening to my friend’s stories, and analysing my experience, I can only conclude that Kanaimas and unseen things that walked at night were far less fearsome than one’s own imagination and the treachery of false friends.

If you have information about any unusual cases, please contact us at our Lot 24 Saffon Street office. You can also contact us on telephone numbers: 2258458, 22-58465, 22-58473 and 22-58491.

You can also contact Michael Jordan by email at kamarangnight@gmail.com

So in the end Mrs. Hughes was right. The PNC never won on its own, and since it entered the March contest all by itself, it lost once more.

Mrs. Hughes’ husband, a most analytical mind, pointed out one of the fault lines and line faults of the PNC- it did not arrange for constitutional reform after 2015; that if it did, we would not have the colossal Mingo embarrassment that has crushed the image of Guyana throughout the world.

Here are Nigel’s words: “The African leadership in the APNU failed to appreciate that the victory in 2015 was not a result of the minority African votes being sufficient to win an election ….They compounded the error of assessment by assuming that the interests of the African community could be protected by relying on the results of a numbers game…this led to perhaps the most fatal error of judgment, the rejection of any form of constitutional reform as a means of protecting the minority interests of the African people and every other minority interest.”

Until I pen more columns

on the subject matter of why APNU+AFC lost, here are some brief factors. When in July 2015, APNU+AFC gave its ministerial bigwigs a hefty salary increase, a psychic jolt occurred in the nation.

The response was this was not the people we voted for. PNC and AFC leaders thought that with time, the act would not be remembered. But the chagrin lodged inside the psyche of the nation, and it shaped the nation’s assessment of the people they voted for to remove the PPP. A huge dream was born after May 2015. People were relieved the PPP had lost. It was an era of Jagdeoite hegemony that brought incestuous politics, corruptibility, power madness, criminal politics and facistization to all the windows, living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms of society. The dream, however, was not kept alive for a large number of reasons.

Firstly, Guyanese began to seriously detest the AFC. This was the wonder boy people craved for to weaken the political stranglehold of the PNC and PPP. With each passing day, it was graphically emblazoned on

Frederick Kissoon the face of the nation that the AFC was not only ordinary, but dishonest, immoral, corrupt and power-drunk.

The psychic wound that the July 2015 salary increase caused, opened up even deeper.

Secondly, the people who replaced the PPP leadership were utterly disappointing and people knew it and began to compare past PPP ministers favourably to the new kids in town.

Space has run out, but the reality is that APNU+AFC lost by 20,000 votes, and that was predictable long before March 2020. It should accept it, and let Guyana live.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)

PAGE 20

Sunday April 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

In the interest of achieving national unity, healing and reconciliation As the weeks since the general and regional elections slip away, and as the focus

leans more towards surviving the deadly coronavirus, no one should forget where we

are as regards the political future of Guyana.

The Coalition says it has

won the elections and so has the PPP. We know that that (two winners) is impossible, so until all 10 administrative regions would have been recounted, it means that we will have to wait a bit more for a definitive and conclusive result, if that is possible.

What is more pellucid, however, is that, henceforth, one-party dominance of Guyanese politics is over. It is in this context that the AFC in the past week called for some kind of government of national unity to help heal the country’s gaping political, racial, ethnic wounds, the distrust and mistrust of each other, and to soothe what some refer to as Guyana’s ethnic security dilemma.

In our statement we noted that “the Party that is legally empowered to form the next government, accede to an agreed governance arrangement that involves shared governance, national unity and constitutional reform.

The AFC remains confident that the APNU+AFC Coalition was victorious in the elections and expects the final declarations and rulings to confirm that. In light of the current tense political environment the AFC believes that regardless of the final declarations of GECOM and the rulings of the Courts to come, it is incumbent on our national

leaders on both sides of the political divide to take bold and decisive action in the interest of achieving national unity, healing and reconciliation.”

Our Party therefore calls on national leaders to immediately begin talks in good faith to achieve these objectives of unity, healing and reconciliation. Our leaders have been authorized to participate in any such meaningful exercise. We propose the following:• A Government of National Unity for a mutually agreed defined period.

• A census and national registration exercise to be undertaken and completed within the life of the national unity government.

• Constitutional reform to be pursued and completed within the life of the national unity government, which must include a reform of our electoral system.

Additionally, “the AFC holds the view that Guyana is at a moment in history when a concerted effort must be made to rid our country of its protracted and debilitating ethnic divisions.

No Government can be oblivious to this difficult but necessary mission. The Party therefore calls on our national leaders to immediately commence talks in good faith to achieve those objectives of unity, healing and reconciliation.

The AFC has authorised its leaders to actively participate in that critical exercise. To this end, the Alliance For Change maintains that following the completion of all legal and constitutional proceedings, it is imperative that the Party that is legally empowered to form the next government must show magnanimity and accede to an agreed governance arrangement that involves shared governance, national unity and constitutional reform.”

Given our opinion on this issue, we believe that it is apt for us to conclude with a quote from a recent column

by Dr. David Hinds of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), a coalition partner, in which he expresses the view that some form of unity is required to move this resource-rich country forward.

Dr. Hinds writes that “at some point, we in Guyana would have to face the fact that the greatness we confer on our two major political founder-leaders is severely diminished by the inability to find a workable solution to the most pressing challenge of their time.

I still believe that one of the most compelling factors that influenced the rise to office of the present Government was the very fact that it is a partnership.

Despite the mass instinct for tribal politics among Guyanese, there resides a simultaneous instinct for political jointness. The dialectics of unity and disunity are a fact of seriously fractured societies, I make bold to argue.

It is whether the leaderships they throw up are enlightened enough to seize moments of hope and turn them into possibilities for reconciliation, consensus and national cohesion. The Coalition gave hope to half of the population that the long night of ethno-political despair and disrepair could turn into a bright morning in which all Guyanese could be secure. From APNU to the APNU+AFC Coalition, the leaders showed that compromise and courage could lead to adequate, though not perfect, outcomes”.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)

Sunday April 05, 2020

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

OPEC+ meeting delayed as Saudi Arabia and Russia row over oil price collapse: sources DUBAI/MOSCOW (Reuters) - OPEC and Russia have postponed a meeting due tomorrow to discuss oil output cuts, until April 9, OPEC sources said yesterday, as a row between Moscow and Saudi Arabia over who is to blame for plunging crude prices intensified.

The delay came amid pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump for the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries led by Saudi Arabia and its allies, a group collectively known as OPEC+, to urgently stabilize global oil markets.

Oil prices hit an 18-year low on March 30 due to a slump in demand caused by lockdowns to contain the coronavirus outbreak and the failure of OPEC and other producers led by Russia to extend a deal on output curbs that expired on March 31.

OPEC+ is now working on a deal to cut the production of oil equivalent to about 10% of world supply, or 10 million barrels per day, in what member states expect to be an unprecedented global effort including the United States.

Washington, however, has yet to make a commitment to join the effort and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday put the blame for the collapse in prices on Saudi Arabia - prompting a firm response from Riyadh yesterday.

“The Russian Minister of Energy was the first to declare to the media that all the participating countries are absolved of their commitments starting from the first of April, leading to the decision that the countries have taken to raise their production,” Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said in a statement reported by state news agency SPA. Putin, speaking on Friday during a video conference with government officials and the heads of major Russian oil producers, said the first reason for the fall in prices was the impact of the coronavirus on demand.

“The second reason behind the collapse of prices is the withdrawal of our partners from Saudi Arabia from the OPEC+ deal, their production increase and information, which came out at the same time, about the readiness of our partners to even provide a discount for oil,” Putin said.

OPEC sources, who asked not be identified, said the emergency virtual meeting planned for tomorrow would likely now be postponed until April 9 to allow more time for negotiations.

OPEC sources later

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud and Russia’s Energy Minister Alexander Novak are seen at the beginning of an OPEC and Non-OPEC meeting in Vienna, Austria December 6, 2019. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger/File Photo downplayed the Saudi-Russia row, saying the atmosphere was still positive, although there was no draft deal yet nor agreement on details such as a reference level from which to make the production cuts.

“The first problem is that we have to cut from the current production level now, not to go back to the one before the crisis,” one of the OPEC sources said. “The

second issue is the Americans, they have to play a part.”

OIL RISES FROM LOWS Oil recovered from the lows of $20 per barrel this week with Brent settling at $34.11 on Friday, still far below the $66 level at the end of 2019. Prices had their biggest one-day gain ever on Thursday when Trump said he expected Russia and Saudi Arabia to announce a major

production cut.

The United States is not part of OPEC+ and the idea of Washington curbing production has long been seen as impossible, not least because of U.S. antitrust laws.

Still, the oil price crash has

spurred regulators in Texas, the heart of U.S. oil production, to consider regulating output for the first time in nearly 50 years.

But U.S. Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette, in a call with oil industry leaders on Friday,

did not mention the possibility of U.S. production cuts, a source who listened to the call said.

Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak told Russian state media he understood that the United States had legal restrictions on output cuts but it should still be flexible.

Other oil producers that do not belong to OPEC+ have indicated a willingness to help. Canada’s Alberta province, home to the world’s third-largest oil reserves, is open to joining any potential global pact.

The International Energy Agency warned on Friday that a cut of 10 million bpd would not be enough to counter the huge fall in oil demand. Even with such a cut, inventories would increase by 15 million bpd in the second quarter.

Asked if he was considering tariffs on Saudi oil, Trump said late on Friday: “Tariffs are a way of evening the score ... Am I doing it now? No. Am I thinking about imposing it as of this moment?

No. But if we’re not treated fairly it’s certainly a tool in the toolbox.”

PAGE 22

Sunday April 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

Be assured that Guyana’s defence is in safe hands David Granger’s The Defence of Guyana: deterrence and development is a timely publication. It fills a void through its promulgation of a defence policy which is relevant not only to Guyana but to other

(A Review of David Granger’s The Defence of Guyana: Deterrence and Development) small states seeking deterrence capabilities

without the high costs associated with maintaining a

large conventional defence force.

The book is an example of the art of defining and developing a defence doctrine. It is exceptional for its comprehensive exposition of the defence of a small state which has had to face threats to its territorial integrity and national sovereignty for more than 50 years.

These threats were of such a magnitude that they necessitated the establishment of strong standing Force to resist and repel any potential aggression. Financial and resource constraints, however, harnessed efforts at building a bigger force.

Defence policy became an inevitable choice between ambition and the availability of resources. The dilemma of being unable to afford a large conventional army which would not be occupied meaningfully during peacetime led to the concept of a ‘People’s Army’ in the post-Independence period. It led also, particularly in the 1970s, to the Defence Force’s involvement in development projects including agriculture, engineering and construction.

The concept of a People’s Army was not without its detractors, however. It was seen by critics as a means of having a pliant Force, subservient to the political élite. Financial limitations would hobble the maintenance of a People’s Army. Cutbacks in defence spending, in the latter half of the 1980s, led to the Force’s downsizing and undercapitalization.

The People’s Progressive Party’s presence in government represented a period of benign neglect of defence.

None of the Commanders-in-Chief from 1992 until 2015 articulated a clear defence policy. The Defence Force thus remained rudderless, adrift but directionless.

This changed with the accession of Brigadier (rtd.)

David Granger to the Presidency. As a former Force Commander, he brought to the office of Commander- inChief and Minister of Defence a thorough comprehension of the capabilities of the Force and the challenges with which it was confronted. These threats were intensified soon after he was sworn in as

President and were instrumental in shaping his country’s defence doctrine – the ideological underpinning of his national defence policy.

The objective factors informing defence doctrine in a small state remained unchanged but the stakes were higher. The country, at that time as in the past, continued to face formidable external threats to its territorial integrity.

The discovery of petroleum reserves offshore aggravated those threats.

Defence remained a priority.

The small state of Guyana, however, still lacked the financial resources to maintain a sufficiently large conventional army and navy.

How then was the country to provide effective deterrence to aggression and, at the same time, ensure the protection of its resources?

A defence doctrine was needed which would allow for a response without the high costs associated with maintaining a large conventional army. This was the challenge before President Granger. He had the will-power, experience and intelligence to promulgate an appropriate defence doctrine to guide defence policy and reorganization.

Total National Defence has become the country’s overarching defence doctrine. The President, in this richly-illustrated book, explains the doctrine as implying that “…all the elements of national power – diplomatic, economic, military, political, social and technological – will be employed to reinforce defence and promote economic development.” In his words, it means that the nation must rely on an affordable but effective Defence Force while counting on the cooperation of its citizens in the event of a challenge to its territorial integrity.

Total National Defence is not a novel concept.

President Granger would have been familiar with it as student of military history and during his visit to the then Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

It was viewed as an effective response by a country, without a large conventional Force, to the threat of invasion by a formidable enemy.

In assessing this defence

doctrine, the scholar A. Ross Johnson noted: Total national defence rests on the premise that small and medium-sized states must be self- reliant in defense if they are to maintain their sovereignty and can, if they have the national will and appropriate institutions to involve the entire citizenry in national defence, successfully resist (and thus likely deter) external attack.

David Granger’s choice of a national defence doctrine cannot be faulted. Total National Defence is suited to maintaining only a small conventional Force, but with a larger Reserve Force deployed across Guyana’s ten administrative regions. It is an effective means of ensuring deterrence and defence in a small state against the threats by external foes with larger and superior equipment.

David Granger, in this book, is not satisfied with merely defining an appropriate defence doctrine.

He goes on to detail the functional, organizational and operational changes to give effect to this doctrine.

The book discusses, also, three other important elements of the country’s defence policy. The first is diplomacy which has always been the country’s first and most effective line of defence.

The second is the impact of defence cooperation with friendly states as a means of improving military capabilities. The third involves ascribing to the Defence Force a role in responding to national emergencies, including natural disasters.

The Defence of Guyana: deterrence and development provides assurance that Guyana’s defence is in safe hands. David Granger does not contemplate a Defence Force which confines itself to barracks during peacetime.

He envisages an important role for the Force – which he deems ‘a force for good’ – in safeguarding the national patrimony, protecting its territorial waters and exercising surveillance over its long borders.

David Granger’s book confirms his place among the Region’s foremost defence strategists. He has inscribed a sterling dissertation on defence policy which should become a lodestar for small states well into the future.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)

Sunday April 05, 2020

PAGE 23

Kaieteur News

Everyone wears a mask, everyone stays home - Let’s wage a war and beat this virus before it beats us

By Dr Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine By now, we are all aware of the local and worldwide impacts of the coronavirus infection.

Guyana is now beginning to see its share of the infection. Given the global devastation of this Pandemic, we need to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

Since we are still in the early phases of this infection in Guyana, our best chance of preventing a disaster, lies in preventing its spread as much as possible.

While the frontline healthcare workers are doing as much as they can, you can play a more important role by staying at home and wearing a mask if you have to go out for necessities. If you do this well and do this now, many lives will be saved, and Guyana can win this battle against the coronavirus (COVID-19).

WHY STAYAT HOME, WON’T I BE LOSING MONEY? You may take a financial blow from staying at home

and not be able to conduct your daily business. However, if you don’t go out, you are likely to be free of the COVID19 infection and be alive. If you are alive, you will be able to make up for the financial losses when this is over. If you risk it and go out, and get sick or die from the virus, think of how much more you and your loved ones will lose.

By staying home we are buying time to catch up with the virus and come up with stronger plans to combat it when we are ready to come out again.

WHAT’S THE ADVANTAGE OF EVERYONE WEARINGA MASK? If all of us in Guyana wear a mask, we will minimize/stop the virus from spreading when we talk, cough or sneeze. The mask blocks it from coming out. If the virus cannot spread freely, it cannot infect as many people, and we should be able to decrease its potency and save many lives.

Wearing a mask will: · Stop infected persons from expelling the coronavirus when they talk, cough or sneeze

· Help remind you to not touch your face and therefore, decrease the risk of you getting the infection into your body · If you still get infected while wearing the mask, there is a much better chance of starting with a lower inoculum of the virus and a better disease outcome.

WHATABOUT MASK SHORTAGES? This is a real challenge worldwide. We need to prevent shortages of mask, as our healthcare providers need them daily, especially the N95 masks.

N95 and surgical masks cannot be washed and it will be expensive to use if you have to constantly replace them. We should let our healthcare providers use those and let’s use the 100% cotton masks when we are in the public.

These are very practical, reusable, and easy to make.

Just sew two layers of 100% cotton together, sew on two elastic ear attachments and attach a paper clip on the nosepiece for adjustments.

HOW TO PUT YOUR

MASK ON · Thoroughly wash and clean the mask before wearing it · Wash your hands thoroughly before wearing the mask · Ensure you cover your mouth and nose but not your eyes with the mask · Do not touch your mask or face. · As soon as the mask becomes damp or humid, switch to another mask and clean the used mask. · Never reuse a mask after single use without cleaning it HOW TO TAKE YOUR MASK OFF · Do not touch the front or any other surface of the mask, remove it only with strings behind. For string masks, always untie the string below and then the string above · After removal, immediately clean your hands with 70% alcohol-based hand

sanitizer or with soap and water for 40 seconds · Drop it directly into a soap solution or boiling water to which salt has been added HOW CAN YOU CLEAN YOUR MASK? The following steps only apply to cotton masks: · Thoroughly wash it in soap and warm water and leave it to dry in the hot sun for 5 hours · If the sun is not out, boil the mask in hot salted water for 15 minutes and leave it to dry. · You can also iron it for 5 minutes after washing with soap and water.

SO WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP SAVE GUYANA? To recap, we can all do our part to fight this virus and save Guyana by: · Staying at home as much as possible · Always wearing a mask, if you have to leave home for

Dr. Zulfikar Bux a necessity · Always practicing good hygiene, especially sanitizing or washing your hands.

If we do these steps and we do them well, we should be able to save many lives i n c l u d i n g o u r o w n . We have all seen what the COVID-19 (coronavirus) infection is doing worldwide. Guyana and Guyanese are not immune to this infection.

Let’s be responsible and fight this together before it’s too late and we are all overwhelmed and affected. Let’s spread the “everyone wears a mask and everyone stay home campaign” all over Guyana.

PAGE 24

Sunday April 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

SUNDAY INT’L PROBE LAUNCHED …AS EXPIRED HIV TEST KITS SUPPLIED TO HEALTH MINISTRY One of the country’s biggest local pharmaceutical supplies companies has found itself in deep legal trouble with an international investigation now underway in Kenya.

Already a senior official of the company, who has been awarded hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts by government, has been hauled before the courts after it was found that a quantity of HIV testing kits that were donated to at least one country in Africa were repackaged after expiration, and unknown to the Irish-owned manufacturer, Trinity Biotech, resold in Guyana.

In Guyana, the case would raise deep concerns about not only the monitoring and oversight at the Ministry of Public Health, but again bring to the fore, questions about government’s drug procurement practices.

The Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) in February charged Davendra Rampersaud, the Area Manager of Caribbean Medical Supplies Inc. of Parika, East Bank Essequibo.

He reportedly appeared at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court, West Coast Demerara, accused of supplying 400 of the testing kits with misleading representation, a violation of the Food and Drugs Act of 1971.

According to the particulars of the charge, on 16th January, 2020, Caribbean Medical Supplies Inc. allegedly sold and supplied 400 units (20 packs) of Uni-gold HIV Test Kits, Batch #HIV7120026.

A quantity was later seized by the GA-FDD from the Materials Management Unit of the Ministry of Public Health, at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, and from local hospitals and laboratories.

The case has dragged in the World Health Organization (WHO), which issued an alert on Thursday, naming Guyana, and warning that a probe is underway.

On Friday, Director of GA-FDD, Marlan Cole, when contacted, was tight-lipped on the case, disclosing only that indeed an official of the company has been charged.

He said that there is an investigation ongoing with “other players” and he would be unable to comment further.

Permanent Secretary of the Health Ministry, Colette Adams, on Friday too said that she is “aware” of the matter, which is being investigated. She, too, did not give much detail.

GUYANA COVID-19 TOLL REACHES 8 Guyana has three new cases of COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus, bringing the new total number of cases confirmed here to eight, inclusive of one death – Patient Zero.

This was confirmed by Minister of Public Health, Ms. Volda

Lawrence, on Saturday, March 28, 2020.

During her daily COVID-19 update done via Facebook live stream, Lawrence noted the total number of persons who have been tested has moved from 39 to 44.

“With regard to persons in institutional quarantine, the number is now 32, while the number of persons on home quarantine has not changed. Six persons are now in institutional isolation by the Ministry, and the Ministry continues to offer psychosocial support for those in need of these services,” said the Minister.

Regarding the local capacity to respond to the disease, the Minister said that in addition to the four facilities, which are ready to provide services for 350 persons, all regions now have capacity centrally to cater for an additional 134 persons.

Further, the Minister updated the public on measures undertaken to safeguard the prisons and elderly homes.

She noted that recognising the vulnerability of these groups, Infection Control measures are already being instituted and monitoring is ongoing.

According to the Minister too, the regional task force has been established and sensitisation sessions continue with business places, banks and other stakeholders.

“Visits to public places to ensure that they are implementing measures and taking precautions and following the infection control protocols are ongoing…

Sanitisation of public places market, Port health and Border complex, continues and visits to the villages using the PA system to promote precautionary measures, sharing of flyers with COVID-19 information continues,” the Minister said.

According to her, in Region Nine radio Lethem has been continuous giving information and programmes on COVID- 19. She revealed too that, “Visits to several of the nonconventional ports of entry into Guyana were done. These visits revealed that the Brazilian army is present at several of the popular crossings and Guyanese police are at several. The Task Force continues to work with the police, army and immigration to assist with the monitoring of these crossings.

Village Leaders have taken the initiative to institute check points in two of the districts: Sand Creek and Aishalton to monitor entry,” the Minister informed.

MONDAY NEW AMSTERDAM GOES ON PARTIAL LOCKDOWN – CHURCHES, BARS, RUM SHOPS, BEAUTY PARLOURS ORDERED CLOSED – RESIDENTS MUST BE OFF MAIN ROADS BY 7.00 P.M Churches, entertainment and drinking spots, and beauty salons in New Amsterdam, Berbice will be closed from today, and residents must clear all main roads by seven PM.

That’s the order that has come from the New Amsterdam Town Council, which is putting the township into partial lock-down mode to keep its citizens safe from the COVID-19 pandemic.

And officials have warned that “the Guyana Police Force will be informed, to take necessary action,” with those who fail to comply with the new guidelines.

Among its measures, the Council has also ordered that restaurants close off their delivery services by 16:00hrs. For the open markets, owners are urged to close by 16:30 hrs. Pharmacies will be closed at 18:00 hrs.

One of the busiest streets in the heart of NA has been ordered closed, with sanitization of the main shopping area to commence on Tuesday.

The major market located in the commercial hub of the township will be closed at noon on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Markets will be closed on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Only persons selling essential products, such as vegetables and meat, will be allowed to vend in the market.

The New Amsterdam Municipal

Business Complex will also be closed today for sanitization.

The monthly outreach at the New Amsterdam Post office on April 1 for pensioners has been “cancelled” until further notice.

Prior to this, businesses were ordered closed by 18.00 hrs and pharmacies by 20.00 hrs.

Meanwhile, the Council is advising residents to promote healthy practices in the home and to boost their immune systems by eating lots of fruits.

The new measures come in the wake of concerns of the possible infection of an elderly woman in the township.

On Friday, the 75-year-old and some family members were placed in quarantine after she reportedly exhibited symptoms of the novel corona virus.

SEARCH FOR CONSULTANT TO MARKET GUYANA’S SHARE OF LIZA CRUDE EXTENDED FOR SECOND TIME The search for a Consultant to market Guyana’s share of the oil from the Liza Phase One Development Project has been pushed back for a second time.

Instead of April 12, applicants now have up to April 21 to send in their Expressions of Interest to the Chairman of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), Berkley Wickham.

It was noted that the applicant must demonstrate that he/she has at least five years of experience in Crude Oil marketing and trading and provide copies of its Certificate of Incorporation. The applicant must also provide details of his or her capabilities and the volume of crude oil trading and marketing that was done by geography over the last five years.

Further to this, the Energy Department wants to see details of previous experience in introducing a new grade into the market as well as the applicant’s Code of Conduct Statement. , the bidder has to make provisions to allow the Department of Energy to verify all claims made in submission, and also, to verify that the bidder’s organization is not in receivership, nor the subject of any form of insolvency of bankruptcy proceedings or the subject of any form of winding up (Continued on page 25)

Sunday April 05, 2020

From page 24 petition or proceedings. A written statement confirming that bidder does not have any Director who has been convicted in any country for a criminal offence relating to fraud or any financial impropriety or criminal misrepresentation of falsification of facts relating to any matter also has to be provided along with details of any pending litigation the bidder may or may not have.

Kaieteur News understands that the successful candidate will be required to provide support to the Energy Department in all operating and back office responsibilities of managing crude sales and for each individual lift from the Liza Destiny ,Guyana’s first Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel.

The successful Crude Marketing Agent will also have to support the Energy Department in the first year of introduction of the Liza grade in multiple geographies and refinery systems, and work closely with the Department in understanding the behaviour and yields of the Liza Blend and how these affect pricing differentials.

TUESDAY INSIDERS’ KNOWLEDGE? VENTILATORS TO FIGHT COVID-19 ARRIVED IN GUYANABEFORE DISEASE DECLAREDA PANDEMIC – SAME COMPANY THAT SUPPLIED EXPIRED HIV TEST KITS NOW ACCUSED OF BEING SINGLE-SOURCED An East Bank Essequibo company that has been

PAGE 25

Kaieteur News

fingered in the supply of expired HIV rapid testing kits is to also face a probe by the Public Procurement Commission (PPC).

A complaint was filed Monday by a Trinidadianbased company, TransContinental Medical Products Limited, which has raised the specter of insiders’ knowledge with regards to

the supply a few days ago of 14 portable ventilators for use in the battle against the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

This latest twist would be part of the emerging side narrative in a case that has dragged in the World Health Organisation (WHO) and which has sparked investigations in Guyana and Kenya.

Ventilators are used by patients who have difficulties breathing on their own.

The Trini company also wants the regulator to investigate the supply of the 400 HIV test kits to the Ministry of Public Health in January and make its findings known.

The scandal involving the kits and now questions over the ventilators would come as Guyana has joined the world to battle the COVID-19.

Already, Guyana has closed its borders with several communities under curfew as part of the measures to fight the spread.

With regards to the ventilators, from indications, Caribbean Medical had them in its possession since December.

Guyana only acknowledged that the COVID-19 was a pandemic in early March with immediate moves to secure equipment and other supplies.

Wi t h s u p p l i e r s n o t normally purchasing and keeping in stock large quantities of ventilators, there have been burning questions whether the company had knowledge beforehand of the need by the Ministry.

In fact, it seemed that the Ministry zeroed in on Caribbean Medical for the ventilators, without

searching around.

M o n d a y, Tr a n s Continental in a complaint to PPC, addressed to The Chairperson, Mrs. Carol Corbin, said it has also come to its attention at this time that the Ministry has received 14 ventilators from its suppliers.

(Department of Public Information release https:/ / d p i . g o v. g y / c o v i d - 1 9 update-additional-testingkits-ventilators-received/) “As a supplier, capable of providing a range of ventilators, portable and otherwise, who have been working with the Ministry for many years, we were not made aware that the Ministry had sent out notices asking for the supply of ventilators. We must now question if these 14 ventilators were procured following proper procurement procedures.”

MARCUS BISRAM FREED BY BERBICE MAGISTRATE; REARRESTED HOURS LATER Things took a surprising turn for Marcus Brian Bisram Monday when he arrived at his Number 70 Village home.

This was hours after being freed by Magistrate Renita Singh. Police ranks showed up at Bisram’s residence with

instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to re-arrest him. Commanderin-Charge of Region Six, Calvin Brutus, confirmed that based on instructions handed down by the DPP, his ranks were instructed to re-arrest Bisram.

Bisram was freed Monday after Magistrate Singh upheld a no case submission and ruled that a Prima Facie case was not made out thus forcing her to discharge the case.

However, the office of the DPP has since made it pellucid that there was sufficient ev i d e n c e f o r Magistrate Singh to have committed Bisram to trial in the Berbice High Court.

“The D P P, in compliance with the law, requested the Court Documents from the Magistrate, and having been satisfied that there was sufficient evidence contained therein for him to have been committed, has directed the Magistrate to re-open the Preliminary Inquiry (Pl),” the DPP said.

Bisram is currently being held at the Springlands Police Station while arrangements are being to have him re-appear at the Whim Magistrate’s Court before the same (Continued on page 32)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 26

Sunday April 05, 2020

Our Region in the ZERO Hour: Face of the Pandemic

By Alicia Bárcena

S

ANTIAGO, Chile (CMC) – It is true that history recounts the devastating impact of past pandemics, but none of them broke out in such a populated world with more than 7.7 billion people or such an interconnected one, and with a planet that is ailing environmentally.

This is the biggest human and health crisis we have ever faced. That assertion must serve as our guiding principle if we are to approach it effectively. It has, of course, profound economic implications, but the centre of attention, the focus of public policy decisions, must be on safeguarding one of the most valuable global public goods in existence: people's health

and well-being.

With this in mind, it is fitting to mention that Latin America and the Caribbean will be impacted via five main external channels: the decline of economic activity in our principal trading partners, especially China; the fall in prices for our commodities; the interruption of global and regional value chains; the steep drop in demand for tourism services, which primarily affects the Caribbean; and an increase in risk aversion and the worsening of global financial conditions and capital outflows from the region, with the consequent devaluation of our currencies.

The onslaught of COVID-19 came at a bad time. Worldwide, 2019

marked the worst performance in the last decade – 2.5 per cent growth in GDP (Gross Domestic Product). In the case of Latin America and the Caribbean, this performance was even more dramatic. To find worse growth levels than what the region recorded in the last seven years, one must look back as far as seven decades.

Just a few months ago, and after ending 2019 with poor regional growth of just 0.1 per cent, ECLAC estimated that 2020 would witness a modest rebound and the growth rate would reach 1.3 per cent of GDP. Today, a conservative estimate – based on data that is still in the process of stabilizing – tells us that Latin America and the Caribbean will record

negative growth of -1.8 per cent this year, with a probable downward bias.

The effects of this crisis on our main trading partners portend a decline in the value of our region's exports that could reach a magnitude of 10.7 per cent. This scenario entails a significant increase in unemployment along with heightened labour market informality.

The consequent effects of negative growth and higher unemployment translate into an increase in poverty and extreme poverty. If the base data is confirmed, in 2020 the number of poor people would rise from 186 million currently to 220 million, and the quantity of Latin American and Caribbean inhabitants who live in conditions of extreme

Alicia Bárcena

poverty would rise from 67.5 million to 90.8 million.

This crisis finds us with fragmented health care systems and without universal coverage, where more than 47 per cent of the population currently has no access to social security. A crisis that is particularly vicious for the 58 million people over 65 years of age in our region.

The challenge is enormous, and it demands that we renew our toolbox.

Each country will have to creatively explore and expand the framework of its possible responses, recognizing that there are no known formulas, while also recognizing that there are some imperative steps to be taken.

In the current situation, it cannot be overlooked that massive fiscal stimulus is needed to bolster health services and protect income and jobs, among the numerous challenges at hand. The provision of essential goods (medication, food, energy) cannot be d i s r u p t e d t o d a y, a n d universal access to testing for COVID-19 must be guaranteed along with medical care for all those who need it. Providing our health care systems with the necessary funds is an unavoidable imperative.

When we talk about massive fiscal stimulus, we are also talking about financing the social protection systems that care for the most vulnerable sectors. We are talking about rolling out non-contributory programs such as direct cash transfers, financing for unemployment insurance, and benefits for the underemployed and selfemployed.

Likewise, central banks

have to ensure liquidity so the production apparatus can guarantee its continued functioning. These efforts must translate into support for companies with zerointerest loans for paying wages. In addition, companies and households must be aided by the postponement of loan, mortgage and rent payments.

Many interventions will be needed to ensure that the chain of payments is not interrupted. Development banks should play a significant role in this.

A n d , c e r t a i n l y, multilateral financing bodies will have to consider new policies on low-interest loans and offer relief and deferments on current debt servicing to create fiscal space.

It is also urgent that unilateral sanctions and blockades, imposed in the world and in our region, be lifted, because they hamper entire populations' access to goods and services that are indispensable for fighting this sanitary challenge.

To d a y, h u m a n i t a r i a n considerations come before any political differences.

Health cannot be held hostage to geopolitical quarrels.

This is a complex time, and it comes as our planet is ailing. It is experiencing one of its worst phases in environmental terms, with polluted oceans and rivers, devastated forests, eroded soil, mass extinction of species, and altered climatic cycles. This must be the time to reflect on the unsustainability of the extractivist and unequal development model.

This new health crisis has exposed the fragility of this globalization and of the (continued on page 42)

Sunday April 05, 2020

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

Must we always fight even as COVID-19 threatens us all?

A

s Guyanese we often find reasons for conflict. Whether it is in the home with family, in our communities, organisations, with our neighbours, friends and colleagues. We fight with each other and amongst ourselves. We fight over politics and religion, race and class and every five years we fight over elections, for there is never a period that we are ever satisfied.

Sometimes our fights leave deep wounds and scars that remind us what it feels like to be in pain or to inflict pain. Either way, we as a people feel the hurt from fights, because these create tensions and divisions that weaken us when we should be strong.

Our divisiveness as a people leave us vulnerable to outside interference, those who stoke fire to keep us divided so as to benefit. We are stronger when we face forces within and without as a team, because we should remember as our motto reminds us – we are One People, One Nation, One Destiny, paying allegiance to the flag of Guyana, honouring common heroes, and sharing a history of displacement that binds us as one.

The things we fight over, though of various levels of significance, are comparatively small to the fight we are in now. The fight for the life of every Guyanese brother and sister, and for every human being now within the boundaries of our border.

Must we always fight even as COVID-19 threatens us all?

We currently battle a global pandemic. This is a battle for survival and what is most interesting is, the safety of all of us lies in the safety of each of us.

COVID-19 does not discriminate by age, sex, class, gender, religion, politics, geographic region or by any of the things we often fight over.

If anything, it gives Guyanese an opportunity to speak with a common voice, and to think how our actions can affect the health and life of others, even as they too can affect ours equally.

What better opportunity than COVID-19 for Guyanese to unite?

Unfortunately, we see

opportunities for political scores, for showmanship, to upstage, to criticise and even sabotage, as some have called for funds to assist Guyana in its fight to be withheld.

How more divisive can we as a people become that we risk our own lives and those of our friends, family and loved ones in this silly season? We must learn the lessons afforded us from others who are tragically overwhelmed by the disease.

In the USA, the number of confirmed cases is almost 3 0 0 , 0 0 0 . We s e e t h e devastation caused in Italy, Spain, France and China, and the effects on other countries forced to endure shutdowns of varying degrees in the hope to stop the spread.

Not only is this virus causing death and suffering for many of those who succumb, it poses an acute demand on the delivery of health care services and exposes the weakness of our systems.

Do we have enough beds, ventilators, appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), adequately trained personnel? Do we have enough persons willing to make lifestyle adjustment catering to others' feeling and being protected by the way we cough or sneeze, the frequency of our hand hygiene, and other safety and hygiene measures, our respect for social distance and isolation precautions to protect loved ones and each other? The Government of Guyana has its task cut out to secure this nation, even as the opposition organizes a joint task force.

For whatever reason we seem to be lacking a unified approach at a time when we are all facing the same threat that will not discriminate. It is sad to see Guyanese not coordinated as a unified force to face this common and potentially deadly threat; persons not wanting to adhere to quarantine measures, not complying to self-isolation and rejecting forced isolation. Those living alone must battle for themselves as no one dares to enter, and visitors bringing help leave whatever they bring at the door for it to be received the best way the sick person can.

We witness shoppers

with no regard for social distance, religious bodies still holding services, minibuses packed over capacity with all age groups onboard, the ludicrous excuse to congregate nightly as guardians of democracy placing each other at unnecessary risk.

In this information age, are we not seeing what is happening in more powerful

countries? Are we not seeing their various health care systems stretched beyond capacity? Doctors, nurses and other health care and frontline personnel challenged by the scourge of death, incapacity, and shortages, screaming for help as decisions are made as to who will live and who will die?

In hospitals, visitors are

not allowed and those infected die a lonely death with nurses who are themselves scared, growing tired, and overwhelmed by the amounts of deaths and suffering.

We m u s t s t o p t o recognise in these times our brave healthcare warriors are heroes. They are placing their lives at risk for all of us, not just some of us. They

need our support and understanding, particularly as our threat levels increase.

But as a caution, nurses and health care workers may also want to exercise some sensitivity to the public fear permeating society when they enter social spaces still dressed in uniform.

Regardless of whether they are in direct contact or not, (continued on page 44)

PAGE 28

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 05, 2020

g ts in s... re ure e t t In rea C

E

urypygiformes is an order formed by the kagus, comprising two species in the family Rhynochetidae endemic to New Caledonia, and the sunbittern (Eurypyga helias) from the tropical regions of the Americas. Its closest relatives appear to be the tropicbirds of the tropical Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans.

The Eurypygiformes' affinities are not very well resolved. They are two families from a Gondwanan lineage of birds. Based on some morphological characteristics, they were initially classed as members of the family Ardeidae, and later the Gruiformes.

According to Jarvis, et al.'s 2014 "Whole-genome analyses resolve early branches in the tree of life of modern birds", the group is distantly related to the Phaethontiformes. When seen as a gruiform, the kagu is generally considered related to the extinct adzebills from New Zealand and the sunbittern from Central and South America.

Recent studies do indicate that the sunbittern is the closest living relative of the kagu. For example, Fain and Houde found these to be certainly sister taxa and Furo

Sunbittern (Eurypyga helias) et al. indicated a close phylogenetic relationship between them by cytotaxonomy; they suggest that their common ancestor was separated by the Gondwana vicariance in South America and New Caledonia, respectively.

They and the mesites did not group with traditional Gruiformes in their study, but instead with their proposed clade Metaves, which also includes the hoatzin, pigeons, Caprimulgiformes, flamingos, tropicbirds, Apodiformes, sandgrouse and grebes. The internal structure of this group was not well resolvable by their data, and contains numerous groupings not otherwise corroborated (such as Caprimulgidae and flamingos).

The usefulness and monophyly of "Metaves" is therefore unclear.

Notwithstanding, the kagu and sunbittern – and possibly the adzebills – seem to form a distinct Gondwanan lineage of birds, possibly one order, possibly more, even though the relationships between them, the mesites, and the "core Gruiformes" are not yet resolved. It is notable, however, that the sunbittern and the mesites possess powder down, whereas the

"core Gruiformes" do not.

While the kagu is the only living species in the family Rhynochetidae, a larger species, the lowland kagu (Rhynochetos orarius), has been described from Holocene subfossil remains.

The body measurements of this species were 15% greater than Rhynochetos jubatus, with no overlap in measurements except those of the wings.

Given that the sites where R. orarius has been found are all lowland sites, and that no fossils of R. jubatus were found in these sites, the scientists who described the fossils suggested they represented highland and lowland species, respectively.

R. orarius is one of many species to have become extinct in New Caledonia after the arrival of humans.

The validity of the species has been questioned by some authors, but accepted by others.

Jarvis's 2014 fullgenome analysis of the extant bird orders shows a distant relationship of this group to the tropicbirds, with these two groups together forming the sister group to the "core water birds", or Ardeae.

This analysis abandons the Metaves hypothesis.

PAGE 29 A perched sunbittern

Kaieteur News

PAGE 30

K O

BO

Book: From the Barre Room to the Board Room: Choreographing Business Success through Authentic Relationships Author: Ivy Slater Critic: Glenville Ashby, PhD

A

t the outset, author Ivy Slater shares the existential crisis that spurred her to change careers.

Slater's psychosocial experience following the passing of her father, and the stagnation she experienced at her printing business proved exhaustively transformative.

As she battled life's vicissitudes, Slater mulled over changing professions. It is a period that well captures the weight of decision-

Sunday April 05, 2020

Beyond Business

maki ng amid incertitude. It is at the juncture that she paints a harrowing picture of her personal and business challenges.

She writes, “One evening as I was pushing through a set of lunges...I burst into tears.”

Clearly dissatisfied with her station in life, she questioned, “Who am I, and what am I going to do?”

Little did she know that darker clouds were brewing. She pens, “What I could not plan for was the unexpected closing of my husband's 20-year business, the collapse of the financial market in 2008, losing our Upper East Side apartment, and amassing over seven figures in debt.”

It is amid these portentous circumstances that Slater positioned herself as a business coach, a

- A refreshing look at personal development and success

propitious move that yielded many a dividend.

Creating, nurturing, a n d m a i ntaining long lasting relationships form the crux of Slater's business strategy.

“If you've done the work to maintain your relationships, your first five clients will come from trusted referrals.

Your first consulting gig will come from your last job.” She cautions, though, that “many people get derailed by creating marketing, websites, and social media for nobody but themselves.” She advises, “when you get those first two to five clients to create a consistent cash flow, then you can create marketing systems that will create a continual pipeline nod clients.”

Throughout, Slater likens business to her past as a dancer and makes several analogies between the two. “Like every good dancer, you run the risk of suffering injuries, stumbling

through a misstep, or throwing your partner out of rhythm. But when you are committed to showing up at t h e b a r r e e v e r y d a y, everything is possible.”

Slater's every counsel is incontrovertibly relevant and practical. Moreover, she relates how she managed to transform her clients' vision and personal lives.

She clearly articulates the prerequisite to success, “When you are stretching into something new, building up your inner confidence is essential.”

She later writes, “Great leaders are visionaries who are willing to stretch into what's possible...I helped my first client see that she could stretch beyond seeing herself as just a teacher and stretch into being an educational leader...When you are willing to stretch beyond what you know, everything is possible.”

She adds, “Part of uncovering who you are is having great teachers around

you who will push you beyond the barre and onto the dance floor,” conceding, “I was fortunate to have three great business coaches in my first few years that guided me into seeing my full capabilities.”

R e l a t e d l y, S l a t e r reinforces this lesson with the following: “Being pushed further along by mentors, coaches and advisors whom you trust is often the way that you begin to meet your goals and milestones.”

Slater's work brims with pragmatic and effective teachings. Worthy of mention are the following: - “Two strategies that you can use to move beyond your limitations are m e d i t a t i o n a n d brainstorming.”

- “Knowing the numbers in your industry will be key to knowing how much to charge for your product or service, discovering where to market to your potential clients, and creating a strategic plan for your company's growth.”

- “When you are stuck, it almost doesn't matter what you do, as long as you do something...When you take an action, you will gain insight on what you can do next.”

- “It's not that women are not as good...It's just that until you learn how to state and believe in your value, you are not ready to step into your spotlight or own it.”

- “The longer you put off a difficult conversation, the more difficult the entire situation becomes. By projecting what you want from the conversation, you

are able to effectively deliver your message.”

- “Great partnerships are achieved when each partner's strengths and abilities complement each other.”

- “Knowing your numbers is about standing as a leader in your company and understanding how all your finances work together in your business.”

- “One of the benefits of a daily gratitude practice is that it helps you to acknowledge what's working, what you're grateful for, and what you are celebrating.”

- “The most important p o i n t to remember in expanding any undertaking is that you never stop training.”

Authentically penned, perceptive, and anecdotally rich with a touch of savoir vivre, Slater's work serves as a pedagogical tool in the throes of transformational change. In this respect, 'From the Barre to the Boardroom' transcends business and serves as an ideal template for conflict resolution, success, and personal happiness.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper) F e e d b a c k : glenvilleashby@gmail.co m or follow him on Twitter@glenvilleashby Copyright (c) 2019 by Slater Success Coaching ISBN: 978-0-57844648-6 Available at Amazon Ratings: Highly recommended

Kaieteur News

THE

Sunday April 05, 2020

STORY WITHIN THE

Lockdown!

F

By Leonard Gildarie

r o m s i n c e Thursday, I have not been going in to work. The reasons are simple. I have been running the 'Political Show' and then ' E l e c t i o n s Wa t c h ' o n Kaieteur Radio.

It has been brutal on my body. There were guests who I believed could have been exposed to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). They are all high-profile. I could not take the chance of putting my colleagues at risk.

I have been working at home using Skype, Facebook, WhatsApp and emails. It has not been easy.

On Friday evening, the Ministry of Public Health, in a move that was not unexpected, announced emergency measures. It has effectively shut the country down for a month, keeping citizens indoors and only key services being run.

In all my years, the measures will be something I can't even begin to project on. The country has never contemplated, in my years, its borders and airports being shut.

For an entire month, nonessential public servants will be asked to work from home.

Persons are being told via the directives to stay at home and not visit parties, sporting events, weddings and other gatherings.

The seawalls, rum-shops, pools, and even visits to patients in hospitals, are now restricted.

The utilities, Guyana Revenue Authority, Air Traffic Control, the Harbour and Berbice bridges, and manufacturers of drugs and medical supplies will continue to work.

Supermarkets will continue to work, with restaurants only to do deliveries. Of course, gas stations and hotels will be allowed to operate.

Public transportation will continue to work, but can only carry less than half of the maximum passengers.

Even places of worships have been restricted, with the directives recommending live streaming of the activities.

The police will have the authority to stop vehicles and vessels, and enquire about

reasons for movements and even makes arrests.

The country, in essence, will be in uncharted waters. I don't envy President David Granger.

There is a political crisis in this country, brought on by Elections 2020. More than a month has passed without any end in sight to a naming a winner.

We d o n ' t h a v e a government in place and despite the pandemic on COVID-19 which has brought the world to a standstill, the criticisms have been coming fast and nasty.

Guyana simply does not have the money, resources, skills and fortitude to handle what is forecast as coming.

The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) has elevated Guyana's infected from a projected 1,400 to 20,000. Why did PAHO use to raise those figures? It had to be something they saw. We have 50 ventilators in the country with 250 beds at private hospitals. Not enough!

We have selected the East D e m e r a r a a n d We s t Demerara Regional Hospitals; National G y m n a s i u m a n d C l i ff Anderson Sports Hall; Ocean View International Hotel, among others, as quarantine sites.

At maximum, I believe we can see 2,000 beds. It will not be enough for the projected 20,000 cases. Even if we had, it would be a far stretch for our limited resources.

We d o n ' t h a v e t h e available money. Our oil proceeds are locked away, pending a government in place and except for gold and rice, the rest of the sectors have taken a battering.

We may barely have enough reserves in our foreign exchange account.

The fact is people are concerned about eking out a daily livelihood.

Ta l k i n g t o f o l k s , especially those in the countryside, they are brushing off the COVID-19 threat as being in Georgetown‌they refuse to believe there is a credible threat.

Many persons, including taxi drivers and minibus operators live from day to day. One month will be a

Leonard Gildarie killer, they say. However, we have no choice. The man or woman walking next to you could be infected. He or she may not necessarily know it.

Not doing anything is a huge mistake, and we may not have a country to run after this.

I remain deeply fearful about the vulnerable‌the senior citizens, the single parents, the families which barely make it from month to month. There are thousands of them.

There are stories that tear my heart apart that are coming out now.

In New York, we have thousands of families from Guyana. That US state is the hardest hit, helping to propel the US to the country with the most infections.

In fact, official figures placed the total infected in the US at 272,000 cases yesterday with 7,000 deaths.

Of this, a staggering 103,000 confirmed cases came from New York alone with 3,000 persons dead.

The state has 14,000 hospitalised with not enough morgues to store bodies.

Refrigerated trucks parked in front of hospitals are being used.

I n E c u a d o r, S o u t h America, it is being reported that bodies are being left in the streets.

The situation is even more alarming in Italy. There have been 15,000 deaths recorded there, forever changing the untarnished image of one of the most beloved tourist spots in the world.

Globally, there have been more than a million infections with almost 57,000 deaths recorded from 207 countries. Grim figures indeed.

In Guyana, a former media colleague was grieving. Her dad‌I believe he is living in New York, died from Coronavirus.

A government official told me three cousins in New York died recently, one of them was two weeks away from his long-awaited retirement.

H o w e v e r, n o s t o r y appeared more (continued on page 42)

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From page 25 magistrate “at the earliest possible time”. Confirming this state of affairs Monday was Commander of Region Six, Calvin Brutus.

Meanwhile, at the court, mere minutes after exiting the court a free man after three years, Bisram, in the company of his lawyer, told reporters that, “this wasn’t a case of merit; this wasn’t a case of law”.

He added that, “this was a case with political direction and religious persecution from the DPP because the deceased is Muslim.” Bisram confidently proclaimed that the case was “fabricated by the state and the DPP” and threatened to sue t h e S t a t e “ a n d b r i ng private criminal action”.

Bisram further stated that he believes that “justice was served, they cannot break me; I will continue with my humanitarian work, there must be consequences for this illegal action that is taking place in the 21st century in this country.”

WEDNESDAY 29 DAYS AFTER ELECTIONS… FULL COURT THROWS OUT INJUNCTIONS THAT BLOCKED RECOUNT The Full Court has thrown out the case filed by APNU – AFC candidate Ulita Moore to block the nationwide recount of votes cast at the March 2, 2020 Regional and General elections.

In a unanimous ruling

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Tuesday, the Full Court, which comprised of Chief Justice (Ag) Roxanne George and Justice Nareshwar Harnanan, ruled that the High Court does not have the jurisdiction to hear the application filed by Moore for an injunction to block the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) from moving forward with plans to have a nationwide recount.

Moore had asked the court to inquire into the constitutionality of a decision made by GECOM to have a high level CARICOM team supervise a national recount of the votes cast in the March 2 elections.

The Full Court Tuesday discarded the decision by Justice Franklyn Holder in which he ruled that the High Court has jurisdiction to hear an application, despite objections from the opposing parties.

In the same vein, the Full Court discharged the interim injunctions granted

by Holder and dismissed the substantive case before him.

The Court also denied Moore’s attorneys a stay of their decision and also denied leave to file an appeal on grounds of an unlikely probability of success at the level of the Court Of Appeal.

Moore‘s legal team nonetheless noted they reserve the right to appeal and will take the legal course of redress.

In their ruling Tuesday, the Full Court upheld the submissions made by lawyers for the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo.

PURCHASE OF VENTILATORS… WE STARTED PLANNING WAY BEFORE COVID-19 DECLAREDAPANDEMIC – HEALTH MINISTRY CLARIFIES In early March, COVID-19 (Coronavirus) was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Since then, there have been several measures in place, including closures of the borders and airports.

Several municipalities and businesses have also taken action to limit contact between customers and workers and even measures to prevent public gathering.

The ministry had announced that it has purchased 14 ventilators to help victims breathe easier.

The purchase of those ventilators, announced recently, had raised questions about whether there was insider knowledge in the transaction said to be worth millions of dollars.

A complaint was filed Monday to the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) by a Trinidad-based supplier, Trans-Continental Medical Products Limited, which asked for an investigation.

However, according to Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, Collette Adams, there is no insider knowledge on the matter. Rather, she insisted, planning for the Coronavirus started since in December when the outbreak became news. “The ministry took the

initiative since then to start planning. We don’t operate willy-nilly or an ad-hoc basis here.”

She said that since then, the ministry started taking stock at what was needed, including face masks, gowns and ventilators.

The assessment was a collective effort by the ministry and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). According to the PS, it was recognized early that there was a shortage of ventilators and this would be one of the big gest challenges.

She said that since February, suppliers were asked to supply ventilators, and Caribbean Medical Supplies Inc. was the one company that signalled it had.

The decision to award the contract would have come after other suppliers were asked too.

FORMER PARAMEDIC SUCCUMBS TO COVID-19 – CONFIRMED CASES JUMP TO 12 Guyana has lost one another of its citizens to the dreaded novel coronavirus.

Jermaine Ifill, a 38-year-old former Emergency Medical Technician, died early Tuesday morning in the Hospital’s Intensive care Unit(ICU). He was one of the two Coronavirus patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Ifill, who has a baby son, is now the second Guyanese to have succumbed to the COVID-19 virus. Kaieteur News understands that a female relative of Ifill’s is also being tested after displaying symptoms.

It is unclear when and where Humphrey came into contact with an infected individual, since he was reportedly no longer employed as an emergency medical technician when he fell ill.

He had reportedly worked up to four years ago at the GPHC. Ifill’s death came with the grim news that the number of confirmed cases here have jumped from eight to twelve in a mere 24 hours.

Deputy Chief Medical O ff i c e r, K a r e n B o y l e c o n f i r m e d H u m p h r e y ’s death during the Health Ministry’s daily COVID-19 update streamed live on the National Communications Network.

Ifill’s case is said to have been locally transmitted.

The statistics have been updated to ten cases in Region Four, one in Region Three and one in Region Six.

Osa Collins Kaieteur N e w s a l s o understands that one of Ifill’s relatives is among the twelve confirmed cases.

In her update, the DCMO also reported that the total number of persons tested for COVID19 is now at 52.

“Thirty nine have been tested negative and there is still one probable case.”

Along with that, 43 persons are in institutional quarantine. Boyle also stated that one person remains in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit.

She also reported that calls to the COVID-19 hotline moved from 998 to 1065 from seven of the 10 regions.

Using the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation ( PA H O / W H O ) m o d e l , Guyana is expected to confirm 1,400 cases of the Coronavirus.

In preparation for this, the Ministry of Health has allocated 100 requiring ICU, 300 isolation beds across the country along with the capacity for 730 beds for institutional quarantine.

THURSDAY COVID-19 DEATHS DOUBLE IN ONE DAY …AS WOMAN, 78, AND MAN, 59, SUCCUMB HOURS APART; TOTAL CASES CLIMB TO 19 The country’s coronavirus-related fatalities doubled within the space of several hours Wednesday, with the deaths of a 78-yearold woman and a 59-year-old man at the Georgetown Public Hospital and Diamond Diagnostic Centre, respectively.

Dead are Osa Collins of New Amsterdam, Berbice, and a male individual, who up

to press time, this publication had not learnt of his identity.

According to reports out of the Public Health Ministry, Collins’ case has been regarded an imported one, since she had travelled to the United States. The previous two COVID-19 deaths were those of Ratna Baboolall [another imported case] and Jermaine Ifill [local transmission]. Confirming earlier Wednesday that the total number of cases had moved from 12 to 19, within 24 hours, was Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, during a Facebook live update.

The Minister also disclosed that another suspected case continued to be inconclusive.

This publication understands that the case has been ruled inconclusive because laboratory personnel have been unable to extract novel coronavirus traits from the samples taken from the subject.

And while the Minister’s update included confirmation of Ms. Collins’ death, it was late Wednesday evening that the fourth victim succumbed to complications from the disease.

Wednesday, the Minister also sought to put to rest concerns that the recent death of a patient at the West Demerara Regional Hospital was related to COVID-19.

“This patient did not, I repeat did not, contract the Coronavirus disease, nor did he die from COVID-19, as is being alleged. His death was as a result of his underlying conditions,” said the Minister. She moreover appealed for “those persons stigmatizing the family to desist from this practice and not indulge in fake news.

Rather, let us empathize with the family for the loss of their loved one.” And for those (Continued on page 33)

Sunday April 05, 2020

From page 32 who still have “lingering” concerns as to who should be tested for the virus, the Minister presented multiple scenarios of persons fitting the testing criteria.

KINGSTON WHARF PURCHASED BY BK DAYS BEFORE ELECTIONS Days before the March 2nd general and regional elections, government transferred a key piece of waterfront property to B.K. Marine Incorporated.

The transaction is now being described as highly suspicious, with calls for a probe.

“This obviously smells…a couple days before elections. It is completely unacceptable,” said attorneyat-law, Christopher Ram. Ram, also a Chartered Accountant, made it clear that the transaction would be seen by some as immoral, and not how a caretaker government should be handling the assets of the state.

“Any transactions since the CCJ ruling of last year ought to be reviewed…from a good governance stance, and of course, in the interest of protecting the assets of the state.”

According to the Official

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Gazette of March 28th, 2020, the order was signed since February 26th, 2020 by Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan. Elections were a few days later, on March 2nd.

The Transfer of Property Order to B.K. Marine Inc. of Queenstown would give the purchaser absolute title to the property.

The property had been held by the state’s National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited. The notice in the Official Gazette did not give a price.

B.K.’s principal is Brian Tiwari.

The property in question was a former rice wharf that was leased to B.K. A stone depot was constructed there.

The transfer of lands will include three properties, including erections and totalling 2.553 acres.

The property would be prime real estate for the oil and gas industry, as it is located alongside the Demerara River, not far from the Marriott Hotel.

Already, it was announced last year that USowned Halliburton Guyana Inc. has applied for permits to set up a facility at a Kingston wharf meant to service the emerging oil fields.

It has applied to the Environmental Protection

Agency (EPA) for the necessary ‘Environmental Authorizations’ to set up a liquid mud plant to supply the offshore oil exploration and drilling operations.

FRIDAY US ENVOY SLAMS DUPLICITY OF “FOREIGN INTERFERENCE” CLAIMS United States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch has called

out the coalition, A Partnership For National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), on its claims of “foreign interference” in Guyana’s March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections process.

Over the past few weeks, Guyana has been hit with several strong statements from high ranking international heads from the US, UK, European Union, Britain and Canada, carrying threats of sanctions and

ostracizing Guyana, if a President is sworn into office on the basis of non-credible results.

Ambassador Lynch coined the concerns by the foreign diplomats as “good democracy” and pointed out that the coalition did the same in January 2019, when they joined with twelve other countries and failed to recognize the legitimacy of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

In her statement

Thursday evening, the US Ambassador highlighted that “in foreign policy, the difference between meddling and practicing good diplomacy is that the latter involves sticking to bedrock principles of human rights, good governance, and transparency and, whenever possible, underscoring the values that bind the country you represent to the country in which you serve.”

She pointed out that in January 2019, Guyana displayed its leadership in defence of representative government recently by joining other Lima Group members from the Americas to strive for a democratic resolution to the crisis in Venezuela.

“Along with 12 other countries, Guyana proclaimed in January 2019, “We reiterate that the electoral process that took place in Venezuela on May 20, 2018, lacked legitimacy as it neither included the participation of all political actors in Venezuela, nor did it have the presence of independent international observers, nor did it comply with the necessary guarantees or international standards for a free, fair and transparent election.

CITY COUNCIL RESTRICTS PUBLIC GATHERINGS TO FIVE PERSONS, CLOSES MARKETS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE In an effort to tackle and mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus or COVID 19, the Mayor and Councillors of the City (M&CC) of Georgetown has moved to implement a number of public restrictions.

In a statement the Council said that in order to safeguard the public health of the (Continued on page 34)

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From page 33 citizenry of Georgetown and the public at large, permission for public gatherings of more than five persons will not be granted.

“Public places will be closed as follows, save and except essential services/ essential service providers. Ï% Bars and restaurants, except between 06:00 hours and 18:00 hours. (6:00 am – 6:00 pm). Ï% Gymnasiums, movie theatres, libraries, play parks and other recreational facilities. Ï% Restaurants except for take-out and/or delivery services: dining or cluster of patrons at public restaurants and bars is prohibited. Ï% Hotels to remain open but are required to close pools, spas, gyms, tennis courts and other recreational facilities where persons cluster; hotel restaurants and bars to only operate room service, take out and/or delivery services.”

Further, the Council implored persons to refrain from congregating in public places, and for all public and private offices to operate for no more than four (4) hours daily.

“Limit your presence at banks and other institutions unless the transactions are absolutely necessary and continue to practice social distancing.”

In the same vein, the Council issued a notice informing the public that with effect from Saturday 4th April, 2020, all Municipal Markets will be closed until further notice.

“The Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown regrets any inconvenience that this may cause, (but) stands resolute with the Government of Guyana in the combat of the COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus), as such, this notice is subject to change in accordance with national guidelines.”

The Council noted that this does not include the presence of members of City Constabulary and other persons engaged in essential duties.

IN WAKE OF GROWING NUMBER OF COVID-19 CASES… ENTERTAINMENT SPOTS TO CLOSE DOORS BY 6PM DAILY – PRES. GRANGER ORDERS With four deaths among the 19 confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) cases thus far, an address to the nation was forthcoming from President David Granger, and this was delivered Thursday.

In addition to assuring

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President David Granger

that Guyana did not drop the ball in its response to the disease, the President also recognised that there is need for even more to be done if the disease is to be better controlled.

Among the key measures to help combat the novel coronavirus, which emerged in Wuhan, China towards the end of last year, is regular and proper hygienic measures and social distancing.

The disease has since made its way into more than 200 countries, infecting upwards of 1,000,000 people resulting in just over 52,000 fatalities.

In order to keep Guyana’s numbers down, additional tactical measures ordered by the Head of State to promote social distancing is that entertainment spots close their doors by 18:00 hours daily, effective Friday at 23:59 hours.

SALE OF KINGSTON WHARF TO BK INTERNATIONAL… PPP/C SAYS IT WILL INVESTIGATE A decision to sell a Water Street wharf to businessman, Brian ‘BK’ Tiwari, days before the March 2nd elections is emerging as a bitter fight now.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) made it clear Thursday that it remains deeply suspicious of the transaction and whether Guyana received value for its money.

The wharf has been in the possession of BK International Inc. for over a decade. It is an area that belonged to the entity once known as the Guyana Rice Board (GRB).

However, after a suspicious fire, it was leased to BK by the state’s National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL)/

Privatisation Unit.

Thursday, former Junior Finance Minister, Juan Edghill, stated that Guyana will have to start way back when the Coalition Government was defeated on December 21st, 2018 by a noconfidence motion.

“As a caretaker government – this was underscored by the Caribbean Court of Justice – it had limited powers. It basically gifted this parcel to land to a known financial supporter, while it obviously could not do so. In fact, it was preparing for elections.”

According to Edghill, the property now would be worth tens of millions of dollars because of the evolving oil and gas industry.

In fact, between Stabroek Market and Kingston, it may very well be the only available riverfront property. “…and for the ordinary man, that is a golden handshake to BK Marine.

The second disturbing thing, even if is a legitimate transaction, why was there no public notice, and no public invitation or competition bidding? How are we to be assured that there was value for money in the transaction and that Guyana got a good deal?”

According to the former parliamentarian, it would be instructive to note that it was the Coalition Government which established a State Assets Recovery Agency, “with a claim that previous administrations gave away from lands below market value. They stand to be judged by that same principle.”

NICIL SAYS PROPERTIES SOLD FOR $110M The following is a statement issued Thursday by the National Industrial and

Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) on the sale of the waterfront property to BK International Incorporated: “NICIL takes note of articles published in…Stabroek News, Guyana Times and Kaieteur News, on the sale of Mudlots 1 and 2, Cummingsburg, Georgetown; Lot ‘F’, a portion of Mudlot 3 three; and Lots A’, ‘B’ and ‘D’ portions of North Cummingsburg, Georgetown to BK International Incorporated, and offers the facts below: 1. NICIL became the owner of Mudlots 1 and 2, Cummingsburg, Georgetown via Transport No. 530 of 1947; Lot ‘F’, a portion of Mudlot 3 three; and Lots ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘D’ portions of North Cummingsburg, Georgetown through Vesting Order No. 43 of 2003 and 42 of 2003 .

2. On December 4, 2006, a lease agreement was entered into between NICIL and BK Inc. for a period of 20 years with an option to purchase anytime during the lease period. The purchase price was set at one hundred and ten million Guyana dollars.

The option to purchase was contingent on the Lessee obtaining approval from the Mayor and City Council for its intended construction works.

This Agreement was signed by former Head of NICIL, Winston Brassington and BK Inc. and witnessed by Marcia Nadir Sharma.

3. On November 19, 2009, BK Inc. exercised its option to purchase and ceased paying rent.

4. NICIL rejected the offer to purchase.

5. In June 2013, NICIL began legal proceedings against BK Inc. to recover the outstanding rent and the accrued interest.

6. This matter engaged the attention of the Court from

2013 to 2017.

7. Sometime during 2017, BK Inc submitted an amended offer.

8. In August 2017, the matter was set down by the court pending settlement.

9. In October 2017, NICIL made a counter offer to BK Inc that included the original purchase price, all outstanding rent, and 50% of the accrued interest.

10. BK Inc. accepted the counter offer.

11. In November 2017, NICIL submitted to Cabinet, a request for approval for transfer by sale.

12.

NICIL was subsequently informed that an objection was raised by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure on behalf of Transport and Harbours Department, consequently, Cabinet’s approval was deferred.

13. In October 2019, NICIL received approval, following which the Vesting Order was prepared, signed and gazetted.

SATURDAY IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19… GOVT. ORDERS PARTIAL, COUNTRYWIDE LOCKDOWN FOR ONE MONTH Government has announced a partial, countrywide lockdown as part of the response to restrict the spread of the COVID-19, the novel coronavirus disease.

With 23 persons confirmed infected and four dead so far, Guyana would be joining the rest of the world in restricting travel and public gatherings.

In recent days, however, there has been growing fears that the population was not paying heed, with persons going about their businesses and even grocery shopping in groups.

On Friday, the Minister of Public Health speaking of the emergency measures released, said that persons will be restricted to their homes with only essential workers allowed out.

The restrictions have halted all crowds at weddings and funeral and religious place of worships and even at creeks and pools.

Persons will not even be allowed to visit patients at hospitals or elderly persons at the Palms.

The measures were criticized for not being worded carefully and even not addressing what happens to media workers and media houses.

However, it has been

clarified that media workers will be allowed to continue their work. Below is the full statement as issued by Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence: “These emergency measures are made pursuant to the paragraphs (1) and (2)(b) of the Direction by the President, given under the Public Health Ordinance, Cap. 145, and published in the Gazette, Legal Supplement B, 16th March 2020.

The measures shall take effect from the 3rdApril, 2020 and last for one month unless earlier terminated, extended or amended by notice of the Minister of Public Health after an assessment of the prevailing public health conditions.

1. Restriction to home Except as otherwise provided in this notice every person shall remain in the confines of his or her home and its yard space.

2. Restriction on social activities No person shall host, attend or visit- a private party; a recreational or competitive sporting event; a wedding, other than the bride, the bridegroom, official witnesses and the marriage officer; a banquet, ball or reception; a bar or rum shop; the seawall; a pool, creek or river; a wake or vigil; a gym; a beauty salon or spa; a club or discotheque; a meeting of a fraternal society, private or social club or civic association or organisation; or any other social activity.

No water sports or recreational activities shall be allowed on any river, creek and internal waters.

No more than 10 mourners, one officiant and the funeral director and the necessary staff shall attend a funeral.

3. Restriction on visitation No person shall visit or be permitted to visit - any place of quarantine or an isolation facility; a prison or correctional facility; a patient in a hospital, nursing home, senior citizens’ home or any other care facility.

4. Curfew A curfew is hereby imposed throughout Guyana from the 3rdApril, 2020 to 3rdMay, 2020 between the hours of 6:00pm and 6:00am.

5. Public Service, Statutory Bodies and Stateowned Enterprises All persons employed within the public service, a statutory body or a stateowned enterprise shall work remotely from home, except as may otherwise be directed by the Minister of Public Health acting on COVID-19,” Dr. Boyle stated (Continued on page 35)

Sunday April 05, 2020

From page 35 the advice of the responsible Ministers and Heads of agencies.

6. Essential Services Subject to subparagraphs (2) and (3), all services shall remain closed except for the following essential services which may carry on operations for 24 hourshospitals, healthcare and medical services including pharmacies, drug stores and private veterinary services; nursing homes, orphanages, shelters and other related care centers; immigration; the Guyana Revenue Authority; electricity services; water supply services; the disciplined forces; prison services; solid waste management, sewerage and janitorial services; air traffic control; Demerara Harbour Bridge and Berbice River Bridge; hotels and accommodation; factories, manufacturers or distributors of food supplies and essential goods including medical supplies where the Minister of Public Health has determined that the continuation of these operations do not pose a risk to public health.

The following services may be opened between 6:00am to 5:00 pm- banks; markets, supermarkets, fruits and vegetable stalls and neighbourhood shops; food services and restaurants only for delivery, drive through and take away services and gas stations.

Any service not listed in subparagraphs (1) and (2) may only continue their services if their employees can work exclusively from home.

7. Social Distancing and Physical Distancing Protocols Any service mentioned under paragraphs 5 and 6 shall make the necessary arrangements to facilitate social and physical distancing and shall- ensure that all staff and other persons maintain physical distancing of at least six feet in or outside of their establishment, if in a line to enter the establishment; determine the number of persons that may be permitted in the establishment at any one time by permitting one person for every thirty square feet of store space; place distance markers at least six feet apart, indicating where e a c h customer shall stand on a line at a check out point or other line; place distance markers at least six feet apart on the outside of the establishment, indicating where customers shall stand while waiting to enter the establishment.

8. Religious Worship

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Except for the conduct of funeral services and weddings, all churches and places of religious worship including mosques and temples shall be closed.

Subparagraph (1) does not prohibit any religious worship by virtual or electronic means provided that if virtual or electronic worship is being carried on in the place of worship the number of persons in that place shall not exceed five persons and the social distancing of six feet between persons shall apply.

9. Domestic Travel Any person who provides transport within Guyana whether by land, water or air shall not carry in that transport more than half the number of passengers which the motor vehicle, vessel or aircraft is licensed to carry and the operators and passengers of any motor vehicle, vessel or aircraft shall have personal protective equipment.

A motor vehicle, vessel or aircraft shall not be used for a purpose other than a purpose related to a service under paragraphs 5 and 6.

The Police Force shall have powers to stop any motor vehicle, vessel or aircraft and inquire as to the purposes for which that motor vehicle, vessel or aircraft is being utilised, and may arrest anyone found in violation of this paragraph.

Medical evacuation flights shall be allowed with only the patient, one health official and, where necessary, one family member.

10. International Air Travel The Cheddi Jagan International and Eugene F. Correia International Airports shall remain closed to all international flights except for outgoing flights, cargo flights, medical evacuation flights, technical stops for fuel only and special authorised flights.

11. Offence Any person who fails to comply with any of these measures commits an offence under Section 152 of the Public Health Ordinance and is liable on summary conviction to the penalty provided under that section.

12. Revocation All curfews or measures taken under any law or administratively are revoked except those made by the Ministers responsible for Education, Civil Aviation, Maritime, Immigration and Finance.

LOCAL COVID-19 TOLL REACHES 23 Guyana’s COVID-19 toll has reached an alarming 23.

In fact according to information out of the Public Health Ministry, the total number of persons who have been tested have moved from 75 to 83, with the 23 positives, 59 negatives and one remaining inconclusive.

Given the contagious nature of the disease, which had its genesis in Wuhan, China last year, more persons have been taking advantage of toll free numbers the Ministry has provided for persons worried about their COVID-19 status. The total number of calls as of yesterday reached 1,315.

The number of persons in institutional quarantine is now at 34, while 12 persons are in institutional isolation.

The number of persons currently on home quarantine, known by the Ministry of Public Health, now stands at 149.

The foregoing was shared on Friday when Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO), Dr. Karen Boyle, shared, via a live Facebook presentation, the country’s novel coronavirus situation.

Dr. Boyle began her update by impressing upon Guyanese the seriousness of

the Coronavirus pandemic.

She said that despite the countless appeals for citizens to comply with the preventative measures outlined by the Ministry of Public Health, along with its stakeholders, “to keep us all safe, Guyanese still continue to act as if it is business as usual.”

She added, “I wish to emphasize that everyone is at risk of contracting the disease. Therefore, the Ministry is begging to do your part and to adhere to all credible advisories in the media, for your protection and for mine.”

The DCMO was keen to highlight that the Ministry is still experiencing challenges with persons who have been in contact with the disease.

She complained of situations where patients failed to provide the health officials with accurate information, so

that they could better manage their situation.

She added that some persons who were placed on home quarantine were either refusing to adhere to instructions, or recommendation given by the surveillance officers, or “down-right refused to be quarantined”.

“I am pleading with all of you to be responsible, to take this situation seriously, and to assist us in our efforts to combat the Coronavirus disease in Guyana,” Dr. Boyle said.

She further disclosed that the Health Ministry is working with the Ministry of Communities to ensure that transportation is in place for healthcare workers to and from work. Regarding equipment, the Ministry is also working to ensure that a stock of healthcare equipment reaches all health

facilities.

The Ministry of Public Health is also looking at provisions of housing for those health workers dealing with critical persons so as to reduce the risk of infecting their family members.

And according to reports too, the Ministry will soon launch an App which will allow persons to self-test for COVID-19. This is expected to be rolled out on April 5, 2020, on the National Communications Network.

For those persons in areas where NCN is not televised, they can listen to their radio for guidelines on the use of this app.

During her update to the nation, Dr. Boyle explained that with the app, persons can test themselves for the virus, after which the information will go directly to the Ministry’s surveillance team.

After self-testing, persons will be contacted by the surveillance team once they fit any of the following scenarios: if you have travelled and during the 14 days you begin to have a cough, fever or shortness of breath; if you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 and during 14 days since that meeting you begin to have – a cough, fever or shortness of breath.

If you visited a facility where COVID-19 positive cases have been identified and during the 14 days after that visit you begin to have a cough, fever or shortness of breath “This app will further strengthen the efforts made thus far by the Ministry of Public Health to meet the needs of persons who may suspect that they have signs and symptoms of

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Sunday April 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

Placing the spotlight on Panic Anxiety Disorder It comes to ravage you; like a thief in the night- it pounces without warning; it makes you lose a piece of yourself every single time. The intense fear, your heart ripping through your chest, the inability to breathe as if you’re drowning, the immense sweating, the room spinning like a Ferris wheel and worse yet, the feeling that your heart is about to stop. Sounds familiar?

Well, Panic Anxiety Disorder is the culprit! It is a subtype of Anxiety Disorder that sneaks up on you when you least expect it and feeds on your life.

The mastermind behind it is Anxiety Disorder which is a psychological disorder that involves excessive levels of negative emotions such as nervousness, tension, worry, fright and anxiety.

Anxiety presents with a diffuse, unpleasant, vague sense of apprehension, often accompanied by autonomic symptoms such as headache, perspiration, palpitations, tightness in the chest, mild stomach discomfort, and restlessness, indicated by an inability to sit or stand still for long.

Consider Anxiety Disorder to be a big family of distinct mental disorders. Its subtypes are Panic Anxiety Disorder, Agoraphobia, Specific Phobia, Social Anxiety Disorder or Phobia, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. It [Anxiety disorders] can also increase your risk for other medical problems such as heart disease, diabetes, substance abuse, and depression.

Panic Anxiety disorder surfaces when you experience recurring unexpected panic attacks and feeling of impending doom.

While panic attacks are simply abrupt surges of intense fear or discomfort that peaks within minutes it comes with that daily fear of having another attack. Panic Anxiety Disorders are acute and intense periods of sever fear that varies from several attacks during one day to only a few attacks during the year.

Its first attack is spontaneous, and sometimes followed by excitement, physical exertion, sexual activity or moderate emotional trauma.

Changes in your dietary habits (consuming more caffeine, nicotine, alcohol; or have unusual patters of eating) or sleeping habits, may prompt an attack.

Doing its damage in less than 30 – 60 minutes, the attack begins with 10 minutes of intense palpitations (accelerated heart rate), shortness of breath and sweating, feelings of choking, chest pain or discomfort, nausea or abdominal distress, feeling dizzy, unsteady, light-headed, or faint, chills or heat sensations, feelings of unreality (derealization) or being detached from one-self (depersonalization), fear of losing control or “going crazy” and fear of dying. Symptoms disappear quickly or gradually.

But even around every dark cloud there is a silver lining and contrary to beliefs, anxiety can be normal and we all experience it from time to time. For instance, when preparing for an important examination, getting married, becoming a parent or even about finances and it is even beneficial in warning us of external threats, thus activating the flight or fright response.

Yet, for many of us, it is the opposite of what colours our life.

The dominant emotions we experience daily are those dread of anxiety. There is always a lingering, overwhelming feeling that you will be humiliated in society, lose your job or the people you love.

But you are not alone,

People with a close biological family member with Panic Disorder are 8 times more likely to develop this condition themselves.

Panic Anxiety Disorder does request a table for one, instead it brings along several other friends; depression and agoraphobia.

Depression or Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a type of mood disorder characterized by persistent and pervasive feelings of sadness and worthlessness and a lack of desire to engage in formerly pleasurable activities and it may even coexist with Panic Disorder.

Consequently, agoraphobia is a fear of being in public places with an abnormal fear of being helpless in situations from which escape may

Benzodazepines provide a more rapid onset and are used for longer periods most (alprazolam, lorazepam, clonazepam). Tricyclic drugseffective but more side effects (clomipramine, imipramine).

Duration of the treatment may vary from 8 to 12 months.

When pharmacological treatment is coupled with Cognitive and behavioural theraphy the treatment is more effective.

Cognitive therapy stresses the facts that panic attacks are time limited, not life threatening and gives awareness about panic attacks.

Anxiety, the beast may always be around but you don’t have to be its minion anymore. Research shows that 30- 40% of all individuals seem to be symptom free after a long

approximately 1-4%of the population suffer from this disorder and moreso if you are a woman, you are two to three times more at risk than men. It [ Panic Anxiety Disorder or PAD] is here steal the best years of your life since its onset is usually early to mid-20’s but it can occur at any age.

Research shows that if you have a fearful, anxious, nervous or even a competitive personality you are at risk of having this disorder.

Furthermore, living in a household that is overly demanding and constantly expecting perfection, or even experiencing a stressful life event, (such as a divorce, death of a loved one or losing your job) make you are a prime candidate to develop Panic Anxiety Disorder later in your life.

There is an even higher risk if you are a victim of physical and/ or sexual abuse or experienced other traumatic events. There is a strong link between panic disorder and familial patterns.

be difficult or embarrassing. As a result, there is a sense of imprisonment so you avoid public places and you never leave the house unaccompanied.

Combined, they leave you like an empty, hopeless shell and you may wonder if there is any escape from this ravenous beast.

Fortunately, there is.

It is important to seek medical attention, since there are ways to regain your life and live without fear with the aid of pharmacological (medication) and nonpharmacological (cognitive and behavioural therapy) treatments.

Alprazolam (Xanax) and paroxetine (Paxil) are the two drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of panic disorder and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI’s) are effective first line agents (Paroxetine) which has sedative effects and provide an immediate calm (citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline, fluoxetine).

follow up while about 50% have symptoms that are sufficiently mild and doesn’t affect their lives significantly. Less than 20% continue to have significant symptoms.

URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS: CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND PREVENTATIVE MEASURES For women, the chance of getting a Urinary Tract Infection or UTI at least once is as high as your chance of getting the common cold or flu.

In fact, there are a number of things women do, without realizing that it could actually lead to a UTI. In this feature, we will explore some of the causes, symptoms and treatments available for UTIs and how you can prevent it.

SYMPTOMS OF UTIS A burning sensation during urination Pain or pressure in your back or lower abdomen Cloudy, dark, bloody, or strange-

smelling urine Feeling tired or shaky Fever or chills (a sign the infection may have reached your kidneys) CAUSES /PREVENTION Failure to maintain proper hygiene when using the bathroom can lead to a woman contracting a UTI. For example, if you wipe from back to front instead of the reverse, (the latter being the correct thing to do), you can transfer bacteria from the anus to your urethra.

The urethra is that short tube which removes urine from your bladder. Once bacteria like the escherichia coli move from the anus and enter the urethra, it can cause an infection. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the kidneys and cause further harm to your body.

Sex is also another cause of UTIs. The vagina is a self cleansing organ which releases its own mucus or bacteria. When engaging in sexual intercourse, the chances are high for bacteria to enter the urethra which is within proximity of the vaginal cavity. Be sure to urinate at least 30 minutes after sex to flush away any bacteria that may have entered your urethra.

Some women love to boast about the strength of their bladder, as they can go for hours holding their urine.

Researchers have found however that this is an unhealthy practice which provides a favourable environment for bacterial overgrowth, thereby leading to a UTI. Failure to get as much water into your system can also lead to bacterial overgrowth in the bladder.

Using several birth controls within one month or less such as spermicides and diaphragms can also lead to the growth of bacteria in the urethra.

Other preventative measures which can be taken to avoid a UTI include; choosing showers over soaking in baths; wearing underwear with a cotton lining; increasing intake of Vitamin C or similar supplements to promote a healthy urinary tract; drinking lots of coconut water and cranberry juice and incorporating yogurts and other probiotic foods into your diet.

TREATMENT Once you have detected UTI symptom, it is recommended that you see a doctor for treatment.

It is likely that your doctor will most likely prescribe a dosage of antibiotics.

During this stage, it is recommended that you use a lot of water to flush your system of any lingering bacteria in your bladder and urethra. However, if it is not your first UTI and you have had more than two in the year, it may be best to ask your doctor for a treatment plan.

These can range from a small dosage of antibiotics to be used after sexual intercourse or a set of antibiotics to be used at home after noticing symptoms.

Sunday April 05, 2020

PAGE 37

Kaieteur News

The Call of the Wild, Sonic the Brain Games: A must watch Hedgehog (2020) air today on E1 science television series This Sunday, Enetworks will be showing two movies to keep you entertained home.

They are The Call of the Wild at 1PM and Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) at 8 PM. Both movies will be aired on E1.

Released on February 19 , 2020, The Call of the Wild tells the story of Buck, a bighearted dog whose blissful domestic life gets turned upside down when he is suddenly uprooted from his California home and transplanted to the exotic wilds of the Alaskan Yukon in the 1890s. As the newest rookie on a mail-delivery dog sled team, Buck experiences the adventure of a lifetime as he ultimately finds his true place in the world.

In the next film, Sonic, a hedgehog, tries to navigate the complexities of life on Earth with his newfound best friend — a human named Tom Wachowski. They must soon join forces to prevent the evil Dr. Robotnik from capturing Sonic and using his powers for world domination. Do enjoy !

(Guide subject to change without notice.)

PATRON: Offering a decadant introduction to Tequila

Patrón, a brand of tequila products made by the Patrón Spirits Company, is one of the hottest spirits that can be found in almost every bar and liquor store. And while it’s on the premium end of the spectrum, it’s worth every penny.

The product which is distributed by Ansa McAL comes in several flavours. The brand’s coffee-flavoured variety for example, bursts with freshly roasted coffee on the nose, with chocolate in support and small punches of pepper in background.

As for the Patron Anejo (Gold) Tequila , this is a delicate blend of aged tequilas, aged in white oak barrels for a minimum of 12 months. The same care goes into each vintage which makes it distinctive from other tequilas.

You can enjoy neat or on the rocks.

If you are new to this brand then the Patrón Silver is the perfect introduction for your taste buds. Patrón Silver is fully flavored with agave

without being too overwhelming.

It is smooth and is a good cocktail mixer, making a great Margarita, a fun Tequila Sunrise, and a tasty Paloma. It is also one of the better tequilas to use if you are drawn to tequila shots.

It must be noted that each bottle contains 40 percent alcohol in each bottle so please drink responsibly.

Patrón Tequilas, like all tequilas, are produced in Mexico from the “maguey” of the blue agave plant. Everything including the barrells, corks, and bottles are handcrafted at their distilleries.

Be sure to transform your home entertainment activities with this tasty tequila.

Ansa McAL is also offering free delivery between Mahaica and Eccles so be sure to place your order with them by sending a WhatsApp message to 608-ANSA or calling 220-8877.

If you’re looking for a new series to put on your watchlist, then Brain Games which airs weekdays at 12 on the Enetworks Channel (E1) is certainly a worthy pick.

Brain Games is an American popular science television series that explores cognitive science by focusing on illusions, psychological experiments, and counterintuitive thinking.

The series debuted on National Geographic in 2011 as a special. Its return as an original series in 2013 set a record for the highest premiere rating for any National Geographic original series with 1.5 million viewers.

The seventh season aired in 2016.

Neil Patrick Harris was the unseen narrator in the first season, replaced by Jason Silva for the remainder of the series as its host and presenter; in addition, sleightof-hand artist Apollo Robbins has been a frequent consultant and illusionist guest on the show. The show is said to be interactive, encouraging television

viewers, often along with a handful of live volunteers, to engage in visual, auditory, and other cognitive

experiments, or “brain games”, that emphasize the main points presented in each episode.

PAGE 42

Sunday April 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

CARICOM should help, but Guyana must save itself From page 16 OAS both appointed two former Prime Ministers of Barbados and Jamaica to lead their Elections Observation Missions.

Neither Owen Arthur nor Bruce Golding would have anything but Guyana's best interests at heart.

If Guyana's leaders fail to take advantage of this narrowing window of opportunity to produce a

credible elections result, certified by CARICOM, it will have closed every chance to maintain its democracy.

Worse, it will itself invite the sanctions that will certainly come, and the ostracization and pain that will follow.

CARICOM should help, but Guyana must save itself.

(The

writer

is

Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States and the Organisation of American States.

He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and at Massey College in the University of Toronto.

The views expressed are entirely his own, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)

Lockdown!

From page 31 heartbreaking for me than a brother caught on video, grieving. He is married to Jennifer Ganesh, a former media worker now residing in New York.

His brother contracted the virus after, unsuspectingly, he had rushed a colleague who collapsed on the job to the hospital. His lungs eventually collapsed and eventually his kidneys went.

A healthy man leaving his family and loved ones.

There will be thousands such stories.

In Guyana, the coming weeks and months will test us to the core. I could never have envisaged we would be hit by a double whammy Elections 2020 and now

COVID-19.

The economy, the least of our worries now, will be hard hit. It is the safety of the people which will be paramount. How we rise to the occasion; how we be our brothers' and sisters' keepers; how we assist the less fortunate at the hour of need, will define who we are as a people.

It will not be that tough for state employees. The government will still be paying them.

It will be the private sector workers and businesses which will feel the brunt.

From restaurants to malls, bars, and movie theatres, the list will include taxi and minibus operators and even market vendors.

Our way of life will be severely disrupted.

Throughout it all, the frontline healthcare workers, including doctors and nurses, will have to be lauded. They stood tall. We have to encourage them. We have to stand together as a people. Do our politicians possess the fortitude and the integrity to put country first?

I don't have a clue what the coming days will be like.

What I do know is that we have to be united. The world is struggling. It is no longer about money and jobs. It is about survival. We all have to chip in.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)

Our Region in the Face of...

From page 26 development model on which it was based. The breaking of supply chains, the decline in global growth, and the performance of financial markets have exposed the global vulnerability of our economies. In light of the evidence of this crisis, the global community will have to face the fact that globalization did not work as promised and it must be reformed.

The decoupling between financial markets and the

real economy's flows must be contained and regulated.

International trade is not an inevitable driver of longterm growth without policies for diversifying and transforming production.

Inequalities, between countries and within them, aggravate the fragility of the global system and must be rolled back.

This pandemic has the potential to transform the geopolitics of globalization, but it is also an opportunity to survey the benefits of multilateral action and make

room for needed debate on a n e w, s u s t a i n a b l e a n d egalitarian development model. Because, “if necessary, we must invent new words and new ideas for these new realities that are challenging us.”

(Alicia Bárcena is the executive secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean – ECLAC. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 05, 2020

PAGE 43

Dr Edward Francis Sagala...

From page 14 after a successful Malaria Eradication Programme.

In Guyana, apart from serving as Chief Medical Officer, he also acted on several occasions in the capacity of Medical Superintendent of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

In the British Virgin Islands, he was employed as National Epidemiologist and Director of Hospital Services. He was also the Chief Executive Officer – British Virgin Islands Health Services Authority and Director of Health Services.

In addition to the successful health crisis management in Guyana, Dr Sagala lead the fight against the threat of SARS and Anthrax in the BVI and stood at the helm of BVI's healthcare team to Grenada when that island was struck

by Hurricane Ivan.

Given his expertise in the areas of Primary Healthcare Management, Health Planning, Policies and Economics, Health Disaster Management, Tropical Diseases and Hygiene Management and Epidemiology, Dr Sagala has travelled extensively for work-related purposes.

Indeed, his medical expertise covers several bases. He is also a surgeon, whose passion is towards providing obstetrics and gynecology services to women, particularly to those from the hinterland regions.

“I find it therapeutic; it's been my passion for years. It rounds me up. I just love working with pregnant women and babies. At any given time you are working

with two lives (mother and baby) sometimes three,” the doctor added delightfully.

In 2016, Dr Sagala was conferred with a Golden Arrow of Achievement—a national award for his exceptional services in the field of medicine, in particular to the hinterland and deprived communities in Guyana.

Besides his highly impressive achievements and ambitious career goals, the doctor also enoys the simple pleasures of life, such as spending time with the closest members of his family, his wife Dr. Maritza Hermosilla Soto, and their grandchildren, Jade, Aidan, Nathan and Alexander Additionally, Dr Sagala is a doting father. He speaks highly of his five adult children Michael Sagala, Commercial Pilot – Canada; Edward William Sagala, Mechanical Engineer – Sydney Australia; Deon Charles Sagala, Emergency Medical Technician – BVI and Hannah Diane Sagala, Legal Assistant –BVI and Hans Madeleke, Medical Specialist – Infectious Diseases – UK .

“They have all made me so proud.” he said with a wide smile.

MANAGING A HEALTH CRISIS Battling COVID -19 has become a global fight.

Across the world, medical task forces have been established to tackle the crisis. In the township of Bartica, Dr Sagala and his regional task force stand ready to play their part in keeping the virus at bay.

Ever since Guyana

At a health post in Puruni

recorded her first case last month, the RHO has been at the helm of a regional task force established as part of an action plan to deal with measures to safeguard the community and moreso the region against the disease.

Dr Sagala's support team consists of Deputy Regional Health Officer, Dr. Julian Clementson; Bartica Hospital Superintendent, Dr. Gillian Jardine; Regional Chairman, Gordon Bradford; Regional Executive Officer, Kerwin Ward, and others.

The work of the task force is to draft strategies for public awareness and also for response protocols for the Bartica Hospital and all other hospitals, health centres and health posts across the region.

Dr. Sagala stresses the importance of immediate health education, health promotion, and the promotion of proper

a majority of problems can be avoided if people take the necessary precautions. But in a major health crisis like this, there needs to be all hands on deck.”

He noted that representatives of various organizations, governmental and private, including the Bartica Speedboat Association, are all required to implement measures to prevent the spread of the infectious disease.

Dr. Sagala said that “in order for the efforts of the authorities, in the quest to prevent the importation of the disease into the township of Bartica and the region as a whole, to be successful, there must be a concerted effort and cooperation of the general public, especially business operators and those in strategic positions to effect action to help the cause”.

In fact, at the town's main port of entry, the Bartica

With a Health Visitor in Kamarang, Upper Mazaruni

washing of hands on a regular basis and practicing social-distancing as strategies to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 infection.

“As I mentioned before,

Stelling, where passenger boats arrive from Parika, a group has set up a medical screening station where persons must be checked before entry.

Also, a number of wash sinks installed at the landing facility for use by the traveling public, and similar facilities are now being considered for other points of entry in the town.

Similarly, visitors to Bartica Regional Hospital are required to wash their hands before accessing the services of the hospital. All these are part of efforts to prevent the disease from spreading to the Region, which has so far been free of any positive cases.

IMPROVING THE STANDARD Besides managing the health crisis, Dr Sagala has been leading the way in lifting the standard of healthcare service available in region seven.

Since assuming the position of RHO five years ago, he has spearheaded the process of modernizing the region's premier health care facility.

Dr. Sagala with his wife Dr. Maritza Soto and two of their grandchildren, Aiden and Nathan The hospital has seen upgrade in its adult intensive care unit, the neonatal intensive care unit, operating theatre and the maternity and child care unit.

“Things have changed a lot since then. I am happy to state that Bartica Hospital is the only facility in the hinterland region with a CT scanner. It gives me great satisfaction, knowing that my efforts to improve the system are providing relief to ordinary persons. People from several hinterland areas can come to Bartica and access medical care they could not ordinarily afford.”

In addition to the infrastructural upgrade, Dr Sagala noted that the hospital has been fully staffed with eight medical specialists including a General Surgeon, gynaecologist, obstetrician, p e d i a t r i c i a n , anesthesiologist and dermatologist along with one radiographer and eleven general medical officers.

Dr. Sagala said that the upgrade is vital, given that thousands of residents of Bartica and nearby communities, and even persons coming out of interior locations---regions two, three, eight and ten, can access medical services at the hospital.

In just under three years, the hospital has been staffed with over seventeen doctors, including a cardiologist and one radiographer.

Dr. Sagala says that his vision for the region is to see upgrades at the health facilities in the sub-districts to cater to the medical needs of people in Saxacalli, Itaballi, Imbaimadai, Jawalla, Kako, Kamarang, and Eteringbang in the Cuyuni region. He explained the plight of those residents,

is being forced to travel to the city by plane to access basis medical services “At present, efforts are underway to improve the health facility at Kamarang and place two medical specialists – particularly in obstetrics and pediatrics since most of the issues coming out of the area are related to children and pregnant mothers. Our vision is to have a district hospital in Kamarang, because there are too many referrals to the city.

“So we are working to have the doctors' quarters completed; laboratory and p h a r m a c y department…other support services up and running so that people can have access to these services right in their communities.”

He noted that the modernisation in Kamarang will no doubt go a long way.

“To have an x-ray machine and for ultrasound services to be available will ease the burden of having residents travel to Georgetown. We hope to have certain features in place by the second quarter of the year.”

Further to this, Dr Sagala is seeking to improve healthcare facilities in other parts of the middle and upper Mazaruni district. He emphasized that the overall rationale is bridge the existing gap in terms of the availability and quality healthcare that is available in the coastland as compared to that of hinterland communities.

“I know the plan seems ambitious, but in life one has to dream big. It may be difficult yes, but impossible to achieve. No!” Dr. Sagala is a special person, there's no doubting that!

Kaieteur News

PAGE 44

Sunday April 05, 2020

Declaration signed by Caribbean and Latin American countries to ensure sufficient food supply for the region

S

A N T I A G O (CMC) – Twenty five countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have expressed their commitment to coordinate the supply of sufficient, safe and nutritious food for the 620 million inhabitants of the region during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The declaration issued by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and signed by the Ministers and

Secretaries of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, Food and Rural Development notes that currently, the region's markets have enough food to ensure supplies.

“Global stocks of major foods are at a good level, and harvests in major producing countries have been good.

Eighteen million farmers, fisher folk, ranchers and fish farmers, men and women, continue to work day by day in our region, so that food is

not lacking on our tables. So do workers in agribusiness, transportation, import and export companies, and wholesale and retail markets.”

According to the declaration, unlike previous crises, the food supply has remained stable in the world and in the region.

“Therefore, there are no reasons that justify significant increases in international food prices, and we call on all actors in

the food system to prevent speculation at this time of emergency.”

However, it added, that if the pandemic spreads over time, food supply chains will come under increased pressure.

“In this sense, if all countries strive to keep local, national, regional and global supply chains operating, we can ensure food in a sustainable way for the entire population.

For this, we commit

ourselves to act in coordination, exchanging information and good practices, and to adopt appropriate measures in accordance with the reality of each country.”

The measures including – the provision of technical and financial assistance to small and medium-sized agricultural, fishing, aquaculture, livestock, and small and medium-sized agro-industrial producers.

The countries have also pledged to ensure the regular functioning of local, regional and national wholesale markets; the implementation of emergency programmes to prevent food losses and waste; to Introduce and promote the use of electronic food commerce platforms and applications ; to promote fiscal or trade policies, defined by governments as part of their response to the economic effect of the crisis

and to establish agile, publicprivate mechanisms that o p e r a t e a s e m e rg e n c y committees of food systems, to facilitate constant monitoring of supply and the situation of the markets.

The Secretaries and Ministers who signed the declaration, with the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and other multilateral organizations including t h e I n t e rAmerican Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the World Food Program (WFP) and the Caribbean Research and D e v e l o p m e n t Institute(CARDI), pledged to : “commit ourselves to keep in touch and collaborate in all necessary measures to ensure that the 620 million Latin American and Caribbean people continue to have enough, safe and healthy food every day at their tables.”

Must we always...

From page 27 the public only sees the risk of spreading infection.

There are sufficient pictures and stories circulating on social media to cause every Guyanese not to take the disease for granted.

Doing so, they place not only their lives, but those of loved ones and friends, at risk.

Meanwhile, Government has imposed a 12-hour curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. The wisdom of this limited shut down is questionable in some circles. PAHO/WHO has said, “if we don't do a complete lockdown at some point…we will be in deep trouble.”

In this regard government is called upon to learn from other societies and revisit the effectiveness or inadequacy of its program, even with regards to

providing some financial (cash transfer) and other support means for those who are our most vulnerable.

Leaders should set the tone for social distancing as they appear in public space.

It is my fervent wish that every person stays safe, that our mortality figure remains low and when this would have subsided, it is hoped Guyanese would have learnt to cherish life and health more. That we recognise a threat to one is a threat to all; that our personal lifestyles and practices can have deadly consequences. That we have bigger battles to fight that threaten all of us.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)

Sunday April 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 45

PAGE 46

GPL suspends some - customers urged to make services use of authorized agents

T

he Guyana Power and Light (GPL) has suspended its disconnections, field investigation, meter readings and some categories of meter installations until May 4, 2020.

However, customers located in Bachelors Adventure and Enmore on the east coast of Demerara, are still benefitting from Meter installations under the Loan Contract Nos. 3238/OC/GY and 3 2 3 9 / B L G Y, G RT / E X 14519-GY under Component III of the program: Investments in the Rehabilitation of the Medium and Low Voltage Distribution Network to reduce technical and commercial losses.

According to GPL these necessary installations will be conducted within the ambit of all recommended safety guidelines to guard against the risks associated with COVID-19.

“Emergency services and technical services are still and will remain active throughout the present situation so that a stable supply of electricity is maintained across our served areas,” the GPL has

Sunday April 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

announced.

It has also promised that measures of precaution which ensures the safety of staff and customers will be cons idered during the execution of work.

Also GPL said that hours of work for its staffers have been significantly adjusted to foster social distancing.

Additionally, GPL has limited the number of customers permitted to enter its offices at any given time to ensure the required six feet apart distance, is maintained.

This has resulted in longer queues outside and within the boundaries of GPL Offices.

Moreover, the company said that while it appreciates the commitment of customers to honour their bills by making payments that aid its sustainability, “the number of persons visiting to tender payments is of great concern”.

As such GPL has reminded that its bill payment services are decentralized to a wide network of authorized agents across Guyana, that are available in numerous neighbourhoods in every county. In this regard, the Company implores

customers to use the authorized agents to reduce long lines at its offices.

Customers may also visit GPL's website via the link provided for a detailed list of payment Agents: http://gplinc.net/bill/paymen t-options/.

GPL noted too that categories of applications, with effect from March 16, 2020, will not be processed at any of its commercial locations. This service will now only be accessible via its website:www.gplinc.net/ser vices.

Customers are encouraged to use the link provided to apply for Change of Tenancy, termination of Service and new services applications and are asked to visit GPL's website for further details, on each Commercial Office and their hours of business (http://gplinc.net/release/te mporary-modifications-toour-business-hours/).

“Any inconvenience associated with the aforementioned service modifications is regretted.

GPL will continue to engage the public of these changes, pending updates from the Public Health Ministry,” GPL has advised.

Authorities warn of fake hand sanitizers, bactericidal soaps

T

he Government GA-FDD is warning Analyst-Food and importers and Drug Department manufacturers (GA-FDD) has sounded a about the need for warning about the need to get permission for the sale permission for the sale of of hand sanitizers. hand sanitizers and bactericidal liquid.

In a notice to manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, and distributors of cleaning and sanitizing agents; particularly bactericidal liquid/soap and hand sanitizers sanitizing agents, GA-FDD's head, Dr. must satisfy or be consistent Marlan Cole was clear.

“Manufacturers must first w i t h t h e l a b e l i n g obtain a license from the GA- requirements of the GAFDD before releasing for sale FDD, stating clearly the bactericidal liquid/soap or b a c t e r i c i d a l a g e n t o r sanitizing agents on our local percentage strength of market. Labels of locally sanitizing agent used,” he said.

The department said that manufactured bactericidal liquid/soap or sanitizing the washing of hands often agents must first be approved with soap and water for at by the GA-FDD and must least 20 seconds is essential, state clearly the bactericidal especially after going to the agent or percentage strength bathroom, before eating, and of the sanitizing ingredient after coughing, sneezing or blowing one's nose. used.”

“In cases where soap and The regulator also noted t h a t i m p o r t e r s a n d water are not readily distributors of sanitizing available, an alcohol-based agents must first obtain an hand sanitizer that contains at Import Permit to import or least 60 percent alcohol is also d i s t r i b u t e b a c t e r i c i d a l effective. The serious public liquid/soap or sanitizing health threat/emergency agents on the local market posed by the COVID-19 virus in our society has resulted in from the GA-FDD. “Labels of these products the proliferation of the sale

Berbice business owners give support to the less fortunate

O

ver the past few days a number of citizens have been adhering to the phrase "be your brother's keeper" by reaching out to members of their communities to lend a helping hand.

Several business owners have been seen sharing food items and sanitary products to members of the public.

Against this background Ashiek

and Sons Motor Supplies (Ashraf & Sons/Ray) has assisted several residents of east and west coast Berbice by providing them with groceries because of their inability to do so for themselves.

Proprietor of the business, Ray Ali, told Kaieteur News that he has been working with Mr. Mehandra Phagwah and Mrs. Singh to assist those in need. This collaboration has

resulted in the distribution of over 50 food hampers to families in need within the last few days, and is expected to continue indefinitely.

Naressa Drijodhan, who organized one of the distribution exercises said, "I live in a community where I know many people will be short of groceries and given the political situation in the country, there isn't much that can be Lending a helping hand

expected so I decided to take it upon myself and reach out to assist.

Ray Ali was the only business owner who responded to my idea and donated towards the cause," said Drijodhan.

Drijodhan is also appealing to other fortunate members of the public and other members of the business community to carry out similar exercises.

Dr. Marlan Cole and marketing of these items in Guyana.”

The department said it will actively monitor bactericidal agents by use of standard methodology such as the phenol coefficient test to determine efficacy in its microbiological laboratory.

“Sanitizing agents will be monitored to determine the percentage alcohol volume/volume (% alc. v/v) in our excise laboratory. This is to ensure that these items are safe and efficacious, particularly during this period when bactericidal liquid/soap and sanitizing agents play a key and critical role in hand hygiene.”

The department said that under the circumstances and in the interest of public h e a l t h , i t i s s t r o n g ly recommending that manufacturers and importers ensure their products are compliant to guarantee effectiveness against microbial contaminants and because of the COVID-19 virus pandemic.

“Any manufacturer, i m p o r t e r, w h o l e s a l e r, distributor or retailer found in the practice of diluting any sanitizing agent or marketing a sanitizing agent that is substandard (less than 60% ethyl alcohol or 70-75% Isopropanol) will be prosecuted according to the laws of Guyana Food and Drug Act Chapter 34:03 Part III Section 10 and the Food and Drug Regulation, Regulation 72,” Dr. Cole said.

Sunday April 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

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Sunday April 05, 2020

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CDC to provide support to vulnerable persons, communities - as month-long countrywide lockdown takes effect

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Head of CDC, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig

CDC has asked persons who can sew to offer their services for the production of cloth masks to fight COVID-19.

In light of the month-long emergency measures instituted by the Ministry of Public Health in the fight against COVID-19, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) through the National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) has embarked on a national mobilisation of resources aimed at supporting vulnerable persons and communities during this period.

The NEOC, which was activated on March 31, 2020, aims to ensure the highest level of collaboration, among all stakeholders to further prevent the spread of the disease, enhance preparation and strengthen local response to this global pandemic.

Director General of the CDC, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, in brief remarks said the Commission through the NEOC will be working with all its partners, including the Private Sector, to ensure that adequate relief items including masks, hygiene products and food supplies are mobilized to assist those in need.

“We are working to ensure that these supplies are available to the citizens who are directly impacted by the

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measures implemented to help the fight against the COVID-19. The Commission, prior to this had already stockpiled supplies and we continue to work with our partners of the NEOC including the Ministry of Communities, Food For the Poor, the Private Sector Commission, United Nations, the National Commission on Disabilities Guyana, the National Bureau of Statistics and the Guyana Defence Force. It is our intention to ensure that every individual who has been affected by

these measures, receives the support they need,” he said.

Lt. Col Craig also noted that the Commission welcomes assistance and donations from any company or individual who is willing to join the cause. The donations, he said, can be made in three categories: food supplies, personal care and sanitation supplies and financing.

Companies or persons who wish to donate could do so at the CDC’s headquarters, Thomas Road, Thomas Lands or make cash or cheque deposits into its Republic

Bank account number 962356519938. Food and hygiene supplies can be dropped off at the Thomas Lands location daily between 09:00 hours and 15:00hours.

Additionally, systems will be put in place to facilitate the dropping off of supplies in the other administrative regions.

Alternatively, contact can be made with the Commission on telephone numbers (592) 226 1114, 226 8815 and 226 1027.

Several agencies including the Ministry of Social Protection and the Ministry of Communities have been tasked with identifying citizens who are in need of support during this time.

The Director General noted that the packing of the care packages has begun and the distribution points and dates would be released as soon as they are finalised.

Amid COVID-19 concerns…

Good Samaritan lends a helping hand to the homeless

By Anastacya Peters With the aim of helping to fight the deadly Coronavirus that has already claimed the lives of four persons here, Madonna Ghanie, founder of Mommy’s Corner, a charitable organisation, decided to donate to some of the nation’s less fortunate.

In keeping with the call for persons to embrace good hygienic practices and consume healthy foods to boost their immune system, Ghanie handed over hundreds of anti-bacterial products and food supplies to over 300 homeless persons.

According to Ms. Ghanie, this initiative started two Sundays ago and she is optimistic that it will continue until Guyana is no longer under threat from COVID-19, the novel coronavirus.

Ghanie’s decision to lend a helping hand was premised on her belief that the homeless and other less fortunate individuals will feel the full impact of the Coronavirus since “they have nowhere to go and no one to call upon”.

“Ministers are advising persons to stay indoors but what systems have they put in place for the hundreds of

Homeless persons receiving food supplies and anti-bacterial products. people who do not have homes. I don’t have a place to put them either, but from now what I will be doing is to go out into the streets and educate them about ways they can stay COVID-19 free,” said Ghanie.

Since the start of the initiative, products such as hand sanitizers, facemasks and educational brochures have been donated. The venture has already seen homeless persons in the vicinity of the Bourda Market, North Road and Waterloo Street areas being beneficiaries.

“Me and my friends have taken it upon ourselves to teach them how to use the hand sanitizer and other antibacterial products,” she said.

While Guyana’s COVID19 number has increased in recent days, the disease which emerged in Wuhan, China last year has infected close to one million people and killed thousands in more than 200 countries.

The World Health Organisation has issued an advisory that among other measures, social distancing is a key factor to help combat the disease.

Sunday April 05, 2020

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GECOM has to rely on Govt. to facilitate recount Nagamootoo said that the issue of doing a possible recount is an “anticipatory question” and that “we don’t know if there will be a recount and, when it is possible, that there will be any such

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

Commissioner Sase Gunraj

Attorney-at-Law and PPP Candidate, Anil Nandlall

By Kemol King

measures taken to safeguard public health against the spread of COVID-19 are sure to affect the operationalisation of the recount.

Gunraj revealed that he would be making proposals for the Commission to consider as it irons out the modalities of the recount, with the goal of ensuring that the recount can be executed in a proper and safe manner. He had made this observation even before the announcement of the partial lockdown, which now ropes the Executive into the equation.

Whether the electoral body would be allowed to operate at all, however fettered by the measures mandated by partial lockdown, is unclear. This issue was raised by Commissioner Gunraj in a Facebook post on Friday night.

“The irony is not lost on me that this curfew was announced on the very day that a decision was made by GECOM to conduct a recount of all ballots cast in the 2 March 2020 General and Regional Elections,” Gunraj wrote.

The Commissioner, who is an Attorney-at-Law, said that “GECOM must be considered an essential service”. It was not listed as one in the Minister’s Order.

He explained that its nonclassification as an essential

service renders it “virtually comatose at this critical time”, adding that the prevailing circumstances make its classification as one imperative.

Gunraj told Kaieteur News in a telephone call yesterday that he had not been informed about whether GECOM would be classified as an essential service.

Attempts to contact Commissioners Vincent Alexander and Charles Corbin by phone were unsuccessful.

GECOM’s Public Relations Officer, Yolanda Ward, told Kaieteur News that she would not be able to answer the question of GECOM’s operations at this time, and that the Commission would have to advise on the way forward.

Kaieteur News contacted the Public Health Ministry’s Head of Public Relations, Terrence Esseboom yesterday at noon. While he agreed to forward the question of GECOM’s classification as an essential service to the Minister, subsequent calls to Esseboom revealed that he was not able to contact her.

However, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo held a press conference at midday yesterday to answer pertinent questions about the national response to the COVID-19 crisis. Addressing the question of GECOM’s operations and the recount,

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) decided last Friday that it would conduct a national recount of all votes cast in the 2020 general and regional elections. But later that day, a partial lockdown was ordered

by Public Health Minister, Ms. Volda Lawrence, to last for one month, in a bid to contain an outbreak of COVID-19.

While GECOM is an independent body with a Constitutional mandate to produce a free, fair and credible electoral process, the stringent measures proffered

by Minister Lawrence’s order have the potential to hamper the operationalisation of the recount for several reasons.

This intersection of the need

by GECOM to execute a national recount and the need by the Executive government to protect the Guyanese public from a deadly epidemic have raised several questions.

Can a recount actually be executed with the presence of GECOM staff, electoral observers, political party representatives and the necessary security forces, given the social distancing measures that have been mandated by Minister Lawrence’s partial lockdown?

Commissioner Sase Gunraj had previously acknowledged, in response to a question posed by Kaieteur News, that the

Dem boys seh...

The Guvment put injunction pun court Dem boys wan know whether dem can get injunction against selling state property cheap.

Yuh can’t even get wan decent house cheap in GT. But some people get prime riverside property at give-away price.

Dem boys hear how some of dem in Guvment know dem nah guh back in, so dem hustle to grab fuh dem self and cronies.

Dem boys seh if the price had been right we nah gat beg World Bank fuh money to fight Coronavirus.

Dem boys seh is everything ending up in court.

Dem even hear the HapNu+Hay Eff See planning to file injunction against the

Coronavirus. Dem boys waiting to see if the court gun rule that it gat jurisdiction to hear that case.

Right now the Coronavirus gat people confused. Dem nah understand the difference between ‘isolation’, ‘quarantine’ and ‘lockdown’. So dem boys gan explain: If yuh staying at home with money in yuh pocket is ‘ isolation’.

If you staying at home and yuh broke, yuh in ‘quarantine’. But if yuh staying at home and broke and have a possessive wife, yuh under ‘lockdown’.

Talk half and hope when Soulja Bai wake up he put a ‘lockdown’ pun dem who selling off state property cheap.

recount”.

The PM noted that GECOM is a Constitutional body. He noted the separation of powers that grants GECOM independence from the

Executive.

However, Nagamootoo said that GECOM “would have to make the approaches at the right time to the Executive in regards to any request to Continued on page 50

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Sunday April 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

CONSUMER CONCERNS

CURBING THE NOISE NUISANCE

By Pat Dial

The noise nuisance is a continuing problem in Guyana and especially in our capital city of Georgetown.

There was a time in Georgetown within living memory, and as late as the 1950’s and 1960’s when the city was one of the quietest in the world. There was little

motorized traffic and the population traveled about on foot or on bicycles and there were few city buses. Goods were transported by animaldrawn carts. Many people did not have radios and there were no boom boxes. At public dances and vaudeville shows, live orchestras were employed and they did not use microphones.

In

construction work, there was no pile-driving or the assembling of iron parts to make the skeletons of buildings since all buildings were of wood and were built by carpenters who worked from seven in the morning to four in the afternoon. The excessive noise and the elimination of the plethora of fruit trees had not as yet

Govt. still to respond to private hospital willing to assist with COVID-19 testing Woodlands Hospital Limited has said that it made a request to the Ministry of Public Health to assist with COVID-19 testing, but it has gotten no response.

The hospital made notice of this matter in a Facebook post last Thursday. It said “Please be advised that Woodlands Limited is currently not performing testing for COVID-19.”

It said that it had made a petition to the Ministry of Public Health for permission to procure testing kits so it may assist the Government in this regard.

Dr. Shoba Gobin of Woodlands told

Kaieteur News by telephone yesterday that the request was made two weeks ago. Dr. Gobin said that since there was no response, the hospital is in the process of making a second request.

The hospital’s statement noted that it has seen through newspapers that all patients with symptoms or history of travel or exposure to patients who were confirmed as having COVID-19 should be directed to the Ministry of Public Health via their hotline numbers and that all testing would be done at the National Reference Laboratory.

driven away the birds and there was a large variety of colourful birds seen everywhere and birdsong could be heard everywhere from dawn to dusk. The sound of the cooling Trade Winds blowing over the city could be heard everywhere as well as the pleasant rustling of the trees.

And the striking of the Stabroek Market clock could be heard as far as Albouystown in the evening.

With the inevitable march of “modernism” with its motor vehicles, boom boxes, loud speakers and other noise making instruments and machines as well as the massive emigration of country folk to the City, the City grew noisier in a spiraling crescendo and today we are faced with the almost insuperable problem of controlling excessive noise.

Frequent exposure to excessive noise could negatively impact on human health. It could lead to increased heart rate, high

blood pressure, sleep deprivation, headaches and migraines, and anxiety and other psychological disorders. Impairment of hearing is one of the main effects of excessive noise.

Excessive noise affects birds and animals. As mentioned above, it drives birds away from their territory and cause inability to reproduce. It causes much distress to animals and this is seen at the New Year and Diwali celebrations when powerful squibs and fireworks are discharged and cause many pets to become sick and dogs are known to become demented and die by jumping through windows, running into traffic or running away and being lost forever.

Before 2000, noise control was left solely to the Police who gave permission for noisy celebrations to go on until 10 pm or midnight. The old Laws proved inadequate with the growing noise pollution and when the Environment Protection Agency was established, the

Guyana now has 24 positive cases of COVID -19 Guyana now has 24 positive COVID -19 cases. This was last evening confirmed by Ministry of Public Health officials.

On Friday, Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO), Dr. Karen Boyle, shared, via a live Facebook presentation, the country’s novel coronavirus situation.

At that time, she said that the Ministry had tested as many as 80 persons for the disease. She said then too that the number of persons in institutional quarantine was 34, while 12 persons were in institutional isolation. The number of persons in home quarantine that was known by the Ministry of Public Health, was 149, the DCMO said.

Dr. Boyle also used the opportunity to impress upon Guyanese the seriousness of the Coronavirus pandemic. She said that despite the countless appeals for citizens to comply with the preventative measures outlined by the Ministry of Public Health, along with its stakeholders, “to keep us all safe, Guyanese still continue to act as if it is business as usual.”

She added, “I wish to emphasize that everyone is at risk of contracting the disease. Therefore, the Ministry is begging you to do your part and to adhere to all credible advisories in the media, for your protection and for mine.”

Given the contagious nature of the disease, which had its genesis in Wuhan, China last year, many persons have been taking advantage of toll free numbers provided by the Ministry for persons worried about their COVID-19 status. The total number of calls has surpassed 1,000.

GECOM has to rely on...

From page 49 facilitate any process.”

How that is handled will be determined when the time comes, as Nagamootoo said “we will navigate this sea when GECOM chooses to approach the Executive for any facilitation.”

Attorney-at-Law and People’s Progressive Party (PPP) candidate, Anil Nandlall, told Kaieteur News it is his view that GECOM’s work is not hampered by the curfew imposed.

He, like Nagamootoo, noted GECOM’s independence, and posited that when GECOM decides to operationalise the national recount, the government should not hamper the electoral agency’s execution of its Constitutional mandate.

Nandlall acknowledged, however, that the measures taken by the Government are necessary to contain the outbreak, and said that there must be a fair balancing act between the Government’s mandate to manage public health and GECOM’s mandate to execute a credible electoral process in the public interest.

enforcement of the Noise Management Legislation of 2000 was entrusted to them.

Activities producing noise such as construction, installation operation, modification to extension of any facility must be authorized by the EPA and so also must anyone wishing to operate a loudspeaker or any other sound-making device or equipment at a public space (e.g. barbecues, shows, nightclubs) or private premises must seek permission of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA grants short term and long term noise permits.

The EPA’s activities and responsibilities were reinforced by the Ministry of Public Security forming a special Noise Management Task Force. In addition to having the EPA, the M&TC and the Guyana Police Force serving on the Task Force, there were representatives from a number of other Ministries.

The key objectives of the Task Force were quite useful and laudable: In the first place, they were charged with enforcing existing rules governing codes for all buildings that cater for the use of amplified sound equipment. Then they had to enforce the Silent Zones.

Another charge was eliminating the proliferation of loud music in public transport vehicles. This form of noise nuisance affects thousands of passengers every day and the Guyana Consumers Association and this column have been taking up this issue over the years.

There is already a Law on noise in the minibuses which the Police could easily enforce and permanently end this nuisance in a few months.

Other objectives of the Task Force are recommending amendments to the Laws that allow the use of available technology to establish and measure noise levels for compliance and prosecution; curbing random and spontaneous open air and roadside boom boxes; and examining complaints made about industrial noise and take necessary action as deemed fit to eliminate or reduce the level of noise discomfort.

In curbing the noise nuisance, there should be continuous public education of the dangers to health and discomforts of excessive noise and secondly, the serious enforcement by the Police of the anti-noise Laws and Regulations.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Sunday April 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

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Sunday April 05, 2020

Sunday April 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

STANDARDS IN FOCUS

Updated int’l standard aims to reduce risk of errors in medical laboratories With the pervasive spread of the Covid-19 virus worldwide, which is causing widespread sickness and deaths, the need for reliable laboratory testing is crucial for saving lives. International Standards are implemented by medical laboratories worldwide to ensure that reliable results are provided to those requiring testing services.

According to Clare Naden, an International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) Correspondent in her article dated on March 17, 2020 “Never before have reliability and accuracy been so important for medical laboratories. Robust risk management processes are the best defense against errors and false results. One of the world’s most trusted guidance documents for risk management in medical laboratories has just been updated to help.”

The reliability of laboratory results in medical settings is essential for correct diagnoses and positive clinical outcomes, so implementing measures to reduce the risk of errors is an essential part of business.

ISO 22367, Medical laboratories – Application of risk management to medical laboratories, specifies a process for a medical laboratory to identify and manage the risk to patients and service providers that are associated with medical laboratory examinations. It has just been updated to align with other International Standards in the industry, such as ISO 14971 for risk management in medical devices, and to provide more effective guidance for the sector.

The standard replaces ISO/TS 22367, Medical laboratories – Reduction of error through risk management and continual improvement, a technical specification used by governments and laboratories around the world to help reduce and manage risks associated with medical laboratory services.

Dr. Jack J. Zakowski, Chair of the committee of experts that developed the standard, said risk management in medical settings is complex because it involves the cooperation of many stakeholders, and each stakeholder may have a

different perspective on the risk of harm. Internationally agreed and adopted standards, therefore, ensure adequate safety levels.

“Activities in a medical laboratory can expose patients, workers or other stakeholders to a variety of hazards, which can lead directly or indirectly to varying degrees of harm,” he said.

“Effective risk management involves a planned, systematic process that addresses both the probability of harm occurring and the consequences of that harm.

“It works best when aligned with quality and safety management to cover all possible sources of risk, which is why ISO 22367 was updated to correspond with the latest version of ISO 14971 for risk management in medical devices and ISO 15190 that provides guidance on medical laboratory safety. It is also a key requirement of ISO 15189 for the quality and competence of medical laboratories.”

ISO 22367 was developed

by ISO technical committee ISO/TC 212, Clinical laboratory testing and in vitro diagnostic test systems, the secretariat of which is held

by ANSI, ISO’s member for the USA. It can be purchased from your national ISO member or through the ISO Store.

In Guyana, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) certifies laboratories to the National Laboratory Standard, GYS 170: 2009 “General requirements for the operation of a laboratory”. This standard allows the laboratory to develop a comprehensive management system, which facilitates the delivery of accurate and reliable test results. In addition, some local medical facilities are already accredited and certified to international (ISO) standards, while others have set their sights on getting there.

For further information, please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 2190069, 219-0065, 2190062 or visit the GNBS Website: www. gnbsgy.org (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

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Sunday April 05, 2020

Sunday April 05, 2020

Neymar revealed as anonymous £775,000 donor in fight against coronavirus Goal.com - Neymar has been revealed as the anonymous donor who gave 5 million Brazilian real (£775,000/$950,000) to charity to fight coronavirus.

The Paris Saint-Germain star split the donation between UNICEF and a benefit fund in his home nation of Brazil to aid in the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Neymar had made the generous gesture without putting his name to it, however, Brazilian television channel SBT revealed that the

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Kaieteur News

national team striker had made the donation.

The revelation was made on SBT programme Fofocolizando, which said: “He preferred not to publicly disclose the donation, so we’re telling everyone, because we like to talk when a person does something nice.

“We have this information, we really think it’s a very cool, very positive attitude, and one that serves as an incentive for other sportsmen, for other personalities.”

It comes as teams and players around the world make gestures and donations in the battle against coronavirus, including forgoing large parts of their salaries to either donate to charity or ensure non-playing members of club staff are not laid off, with football postponed around the world to try and stop the virus spreading.

On Thursday, Atletico Madrid players agreed to take a 70 per cent pay cut in order to support the wages of other employees, following the

Sunday April 05, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Today isn't a day for meditation, Aries. The planetary energies are asking you to step outside of yourself and get back into the world again!

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) If you have grievances about your love life, Taurus, today is the day to speak up. Indeed, today requires only total honesty and forthrightness in all areas.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Are you thinking of switching careers or traveling to the other side of the world, Gemini? Or perhaps you just want to pull a “Greta Garbo” and stay at home alone with the shades drawn tight.

CANCER(June21–July22) You're likely to find people somewhat irritating today.

It's as though nothing is good enough, and nobody seems to know exactly what he or she wants. You'll reign supreme within this maze of overt conflict and dissatisfaction.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) When you woke up this morning, you may have felt an oppressive mood hanging in the air. Unfortunately, that haze of misunderstanding and conflict is likely to last all day.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) The mood you're in today is the stuff of which memorable encounters are made.

You'll be wary at first, perhaps even somewhat hostile, to anyone who dares intrude on your freedom.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) More than ever before, you'll feel as though it's time to take matters into your own hands and build your own career future. You're fed up with living on hope and putting off your happiness until tomorrow.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) This is the ideal moment to address once and for all the questions that have been on your mind for the last three weeks. Pay particular attention to questions that touch on your sentimental side.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Like your compatriots, Sagittarius, something is coming to an end concerning the lack of confidence you have in yourself.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) It's possible that the last few weeks have allowed you to gain a little clarity on certain questions you may have about your vocation.

You might even be a little clearer about your feelings concerning what your destiny might be.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) These past three weeks were rather good for your equilibrium. It was just a matter of getting a bit more involved in life than is usual for you, and showing what you're capable of.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) It isn't always pleasant to have to question oneself, Pisces, but this is the main objective of today's planetary energies - to launch you into new adventures.

Neymar revealed as anonymous £775,000 donor in fight against coronavirus. example set by Neymar’s former club Barcelona.

In Germany, Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich says players have “a responsibility” to help, and with team-mate Leon Goretzka has set up a fund called ‘ We Kick Corona ‘, which has already raised more than €3.7m.

In England, pressure has been put on footballers to make similar gestures, with Health Secretary Matt Hancock saying players need to “do their bit”, although this has drawn criticism from figures in the game including Gary Lineker and Gary Neville.

Lineker’s former side Tottenham have been criticised for cutting the salaries of 550 non-playing staff members, despite owner Joe Lewis having a reported net worth of over £4.3 billion ($5.3bn).

However, other players have been praised for their charitable efforts, such as Manchester United and England forward Marcus Rashford who has been helping provide free meals for schoolchildren in the city.

Black Caps Windies tour “most unlikely”, says...

From page 55 and caused in excess of 58 000 deaths. “Clearly, this situation is extremely disappointing for everyone involved in sport but, given the bigger picture, and the terrible toll COVID-19 is taking worldwide, we need to look after not only our own people but the greater community good,” the official explained.

“Cricket in New Zealand has been fortunate in that we were very much at the end of our home summer programme when this crisis struck.

“However, with the lockdown now in full force, we’re mindful of the difficulties facing our cricket community.

“Our current focus is very much on ensuring the future sustainability of cricket in New Zealand.”

The Black Caps are scheduled to take on West Indies in three One-Day Internationals and three Twenty20 Internationals from July 8-19.

Antigua’s Vivian Richards Cricket Ground is carded to host the opening two ODIs with Dominica’s Windsor Park hosting the final ODI and opening T20.

The final two T20s are set to be played at the Guyana National Stadium.

All three nations have reported cases of COVID-19 while the governments of Antigua and Dominica have put in place curfews.

For its part, New Zealand has reported 868 cases with a single death.

White said though the future remained unclear while the virus wreaked havoc, New Zealand Cricket would have continue its planning.

“Although the future is uncertain, we’re determined to be well-prepared for whatever opportunities arise.”

South Africa are scheduled to follow New Zealand for a tour of the Caribbean, starting at the back end of July and into August where they play two Tests and five T20 Internationals.

PAGE 56

IPL 2020 should ‘kick-start the cricket season’ - Kevin Pietersen ESPNcricinfo - With the COVID-19 pandemic locking the world down, cricket around the globe has been indefinitely stalled.

Among the high-profile ones to be affected is the 13th season of the IPL. Though the chances of the tournament taking place this year is increasingly looking bleak, Kevin Pietersen is hoping for it to happen, saying, “I do truly believe the IPL should happen”.

The competition was slated to begin on March 29, but has been deferred until April 15, but with the situation not having changed significantly, the wait is likely to continue.

“Let’s say July-August is the earliest, I do truly believe the IPL should happen,” Pietersen said on Star Sports Cricket Connected. “I do believe it is the kick-start to the cricket season. I think every single player around the world is desperate to play the IPL. “There could be a way in which to get some money into the franchises, into the economy by having a situation where y o u u s e maybe three venues which are completely closed to fans and the players can s till go out and play the tournament in three weeks or in four weeks.”

Kevin Pietersen shares a laugh with Yuvraj Singh. (BCCI) A few cricket matches in March, including the first ODI between Australia and New Zealand in Sydney, took place in empty stadia soon after the outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Pietersen suggested that as an option for the IPL. “So it’s a more condensed tournament in three venues, which we know are safe, which we know are secure,” he said.

“I don’t think the fans need to be risked in this situation. I think the fans need to understand they can’t

watch a live game at the moment and they might not be able to watch a live game for the foreseeable future.

[But] what would you guys give right now, to watch Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings right now?”

Commentator and former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar agreed that the tournament should take place, saying that it was not just important for players and franchises, but also for the people working behind the scenes.

“The moment we get clearances from all the

authorities that matter, the IPL should happen,” he said.

“Only because it will kickstart the economy because when you talk about the IPL it’s not just about the Mumbai Indians, or a [MS] Dhoni or a Virat Kohli, there are a lot of people who are making their livelihood through the IPL.” Earlier, Manoj Badale, majority owner at Rajasthan Royals, had said that a “shortened” tournament couldn’t be ruled out, but even that would have to be subject to collaboration between the BCCI and other cricket boards.

New England Patriots’ truck delivers masks to New York to help coronavirus effort

A New England Patriots Boeing 767-300 jet with a shipment of over one million N95 masks from China, which will be used in Boston and New York to help fight the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), arrives at Logan Airport, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., April 2, 2020. (Jim Davis/Pool via REUTERS) (Reuters) - A truck emblazoned with the colors of the New England Patriots football team was out on the streets of New York on Friday, delivering 300,000 N95 masks to a makeshift hospital set up in the Jacob K. Javits

Sunday April 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

Convention Center.

New York state recorded more than 500 coronavirusrelated deaths in a single day on Friday, bringing the statewide total to nearly 3,000.

The Patriots, who are based in Foxborough,

Massachusetts, received a shipment of 1.7 million N95 masks from China earlier this week after the team’s owner, Robert Kraft, and Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker partnered to buy the much-needed supplies to help protect

healthcare workers on the front lines.

The NFL team said on Thursday it would send 1.4 million of the masks to hospitals in Massachusetts, with the remaining ones going to New York.

GMR&SC doing their part in COVID-19 fight Following the formation of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) ‘Coronavirus relief fund’ that was initiated to assist the fight against of the terrible virus locally, the club has come good on its promises after making donations to Guyana’s main medical facility yesterday.

The GMR&SC in collaboration with several business persons and concerned citizens donated several items which included food and medical supplies to doctors battling the COVID19 pandemic at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Vice-president of the GMR&SC, Shairaz Roshandin, who is one of the main persons organising the project, in an invited comment

with Kaieteur Sport, explained that the ‘Coronavirus relief fund will see the three main hospitals being supported.

He further shared that, “We will be working along with these institutions to know what they need so we can help meet those needs in whatever way we can.”

Meanwhile, head of the club, Rameez Mohamed shared with this publication that the GMR&SC is aware of the economic impact the pandemic brings. He mentioned that, “Currently the coronavirus relief committee is putting together around 500 hampers to assist families that would have or would be affected financially

by Covid-19.” Those hampers are currently being prepared and will be ready for distribution next weekend.

Bryant heads 2020 Hall of Fame honorees Five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant headed a star-studded list of honorees named to basketball’s 2020 Hall of Fame yesterday.

The Los Angeles Lakers icon, who died in a helicopter crash in January, was named alongside nine honorees who will be enshrined at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on August 29.

Joining Bryant in the sport’s pantheon are threetime NBA Finals MVP Tim Duncan, 15-time NBA AllStar Kevin Garnett, two-time NBA champion coach Rudy Tomjanovich and four-time Olympic medallist Tamika Catchings.

Other inductees include three-time NCAA National Championship coach Kim Mulkey, college basketball coach Barbara Stevens and longtime FIBA executive Patrick Baumann, who died of a heart attack in 2018 at the age of 41.

“The Class of 2020 is undoubtedly one of the most historic of all time and the talent and social influence of these nine honorees is beyond measure,” said John Doleva, chief executive of the Hall of Fame.

“In 2020, the basketball community has suffered the unimaginable loss of iconic figures Commissioner David Stern and Kobe Bryant, as well as the game itself due to COVID-19.

“We have also banded together like never before

in appreciation of the game and those who have made it the uniting force it is today.”

The basketball world was left stunned by Bryant’s death earlier this year, with the crash also claiming the life of his daughter Gianna and seven others.

The NBA season has also been left in disarray by the coronavirus pandemic, with the campaign halted indefinitely last month and the league currently on hiatus.

B r y a n t ’s wife, Vanessa, told ESPN her late h u s b a n d ’s posthumous elevation to the Hall of Fame ranked as one of his greatest career milestones. “ I t ’s a n i n c r e d i b l e accomplishment and h o n o r, and we’re extremely proud of him,” Vanessa Bryant said. “ E v e r y accomplishment that he had as an athlete was a steppingstone to be here,” she added.

Lakers team owner Jeanie Buss saluted Bryant in a statement that praised the star’s fierce competitiveness, work ethic and drive.”

“Those qualities helped Kobe lead us to five titles — and have now brought him to the Hall of Fame, where he will be enshrined with the greatest to have ever played the game,” Buss said.

“No one deserves it more.”

Sunday April 05, 2020

PAGE 57

Kaieteur News

CWI President talks about COVID-19 further wrecks CONCACAF calendar his first year in office - Proud of transformational changes at CWI This year-one review is based on the 10 Point ‘Cricket First Plan’ that was the foundation of the Ricky Skerritt-Dr Kishore Shallow 2019 election campaign.

In March 2019, he was elected as the President of Cricket West Indies, along with his running mate, when they defeated the incumbent’s president Dave Cameron and vice president Emmanuel Nanthan by margins of 8-4 in a secret ballot.

“We are proud to report on the transformational changes now taking place at Cricket West Indies (CWI), after one year of our leadership.

We are especially pleased with the high level of enthusiasm that the rebuilding of relationships has aroused amongst cricketers, coaches, management, staff, and fans.

But we are also aware that this enthusiasm has lifted expectations,” said Skerritt, a former West Indies team manager.

“At the start of our tenure, CWI teams were all ranked at the bottom of all ICC ladders, and we are mindful that those rankings have not yet improved.

“Although we know that there are no quick-fixes for climbing the performance

ladders, we are firmly committed to the philosophy that improving the capacity, efficiency, accountability, transparency and financial well-being of the entire CWI organization, on and off the field, is a prerequisite for improving on-field results,” informed the former Minister of Tourism of St Kitts and Nevis.

“We are also reestablishing the proper role of the CWI Board, of oversight and policy making.

The professional executive management must be encouraged, and allowed, to carry out approved policy without undue, or confusing interference.

Our vision is for CWI to truly become both a trustee and a designer of West Indies Cricket, as “A Public Good”, said the 63-year-old Kittitian.

According to Skerritt, CWI’s main challenge now is to partner effectively with the cricket community and with all public and private stakeholders, to attract and gather together as much of the young talent in our region as possible, and to help them to develop into thoughtful, hard-working, and proud West Indians.

“CWI must develop, operate, and sustain a cricket

system that is built on a foundation of heritage, global standards, proven best practices, and competent expertise. This cricket system must produce more disciplined, skilful, and confident cricketers, most of whom should be selfmotivated and battle-ready,” noted Skerritt who has a bachelor’s degree from the University of the Virgin Islands and a master’s degree from Oxford University.

Skerritt, who along with CWI’s Chief Executive Officer Jonny Grave, travelled to Guyana in March last year for a two-day meeting with stakeholders and Government officials, spoke about the impact of the Coved-19 on the Region.

“The Coved-19 pandemicrelated uncertainty is rapidly changing the global market for every product, service, or event.

Unprecedented disruptive challenges are increasingly emerging for professional sports, including cricket,” lamented the CWI Head.

“But even in the midst of this unpredictable outlook, we continue to believe that the best way forward is for all stakeholders to work responsibly and strategically, together,” Skerritt concluded.

(Sean Devers)

FIFA rules on Olympic men’s soccer tournament age eligibility NBC Sports - For the first time since 1988, some 24-year-olds will be eligible for the Olympic men’s soccer tournament without using an over-age exception.

FIFA announced Friday that it will use the same age eligibility criteria for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 that it intended to use in 2020 — that players born on or after Jan. 1, 1997 are eligible, plus three over-age exceptions. FIFA chose not to move the birthdate deadline back a year after the Olympics were postponed by one year.

Olympic men’s soccer tournaments have been U-23 events — save those exceptions — since the 1992 Barcelona Games. In 1984 and 1988, restrictions kept European and South American players with World Cup experience ineligible. Before that, professionals weren’t allowed at all.

Fourteen of the 16 men’s soccer teams already qualified for the Games using players from under-23 national teams. The last two spots are to be filled by CONCACAF nations, potentially the U.S. qualifying a men’s team for the first time since 2008.

The U.S.’ biggest star, Christian Pulisic, and French superstar Kylian Mbappe were both born in 1998 and thus would have been under the age limit even if FIFA moved the deadline to Jan. 1, 1998.

Perhaps the most high-profile player affected by FIFA’s decision is Brazilian

Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus forward Gabriel Jesus. The Manchester City star was born April 3, 1997, and thus would have become an over-age exception if FIFA pushed the birthdate rule back a year.

Instead, Brazil could name him to the Olympic team and still keep all of its over-age exceptions.

However, players need permission from their professional club teams to play in the Olympics, often limiting the availability of stars.

MIAMI, Florida, CMC – The coronavirus pandemic on Friday continued to wreak havoc on the Caribbean football calendar, with organisers forced to postpone next month’s final stage of the Caribbean Club Championship along with the 2021 Gold Cup qualifiers set for June.

In a statement, continental governing body, CONCACAF, also announced it was also postponing the Nations League finals also carded for June in Texas.

“Given the ongoing public health situation, and following consultation with FIFA regarding the international football calendar, we have made the decision to suspend the CONCACAF Nations League Finals, which was scheduled for June 4-7, 2020 in the Houston and Dallas areas,” CONCACAF said.

“The event, which includes the Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico and USA men’s national teams, will be rescheduled to take place at a later date in venues to be determined.

“This will be confirmed following further discussions with FIFA regarding the remaining international windows in the football calendar, and will obviously

be subject to public health authorities deeming it safe for professional sports events to resume.”

The statement added: “… following the same considerations and discussions with FIFA, we have made the decision to suspend the Road to Gold Cup qualification matches scheduled in the June international window and the Caribbean Club Championship scheduled for May. “We will discuss with stakeholders format and scheduling options for these matches and communicate our plans in due course.

The Caribbean Club Championship finals was due to be held May 8-13 in the Dominican Republic and

feature Jamaican club Waterhouse, Haitian side Arcahaie and host units Atlético Pantoja and Cibao.

Jamaica hosted the group stage from January 29 to February at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex in Kingston.

June had been expected to see the second round of the Road to Gold Cup qualifiers but they were always unlikely to be scrapped especially after last month’s first round was also postponed because of the COVID-19 virus.

Also last month, CONCACAF suspended the Champions League which is at the quarter-final stage, the men’s Olympic Qualifiers and the Caribbean Club Shield carded for April 3-12 in Curacao.

Ex-Pakistan cricket great Miandad says spot-fixers should be hanged AFP - Cricketers involved in match fixing should be hanged, former Pakistan batting great Javed Miandad suggested Friday.

Match-fixing and spotfixing — determining the outcome of a specific part of a game rather than the overall result — have stained the country’s sport for several years.

“Players who are involved in spot-fixing should be severely punished,” Miandad, who scored Pakistan’s secondhighest Test runs with 8832, said on his YouTube channel.

“Spot-fixers should be hanged because it is similar to killing someone, and so the punishment should also be on the same lines. An example should be set so that no player even thinks about doing something like this.”

His remarks follow player Mohammad Hafeez’s protests over former opener Sharjeel Khan’s return despite receiving a five-year ban in 2017 over a spot-fixing case.

Meanwhile, Pakistan

Javed Miandad, who scored Pakistan’s secondhighest Test runs with 8832, has condemned those that match-fix. (AFP/File/Rizwan Tabassum) batsman Umar Akmal faces a ban of six months to life after being charged for not reporting a fixing offer last month, a crime under Pakistan Cricket Board’s anticorruption code.

Fixing was exposed in 1995 after Australians Shane Warne, Tim May and Mark Waugh alleged then-skipper Salim Malik offered them bribes to under-perform in matches.

That led to a judicial inquiry that banned Malik for life.

But in 2010, then Pakistan skipper Salman Butt and fast bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif were involved in a spot-fixing case that led to five-year bans.

Only Amir returned to international cricket — a comeback that also raised opposition, most prominently

by Hafeez.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 58

Sunday April 05, 2020

What cricket means to West Indians

West Indies cricket comes of age, England beaten in their own backyard

By Sean Devers On the historic 1950 English tour which the Windies won 3-1, Jeffery Stollmeyer and Goddard insisted that Ramadhin and Valentine, with virtually no first-class experience, be selected.

The spin twins mesmerized the English batsmen while Alan Rae and Stollmeyer, rated only behind Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes (who shared 16 century partnerships between them) as outstanding West Indian opening pairs, give their team solid starts for the three W’s (Weeks, Worrell and Walcott) to build on as the West Indies enjoyed their finest hour, winning their first match in England…at Lords.

Rae, who later became a president of the WICBC, and who had scored two tons in the previous series in India, scored 109, while Sir Frank Worrell hit 138 as West Indies made 503.

Valentine and Goddard had four wickets each as England, despite an undefeated double century from Hutton, fell for 344.

Ramadhin (3-38) and Valentine (6-39) opened the bowling to route the home team for 103 in their second innings as West Indies won by an innings and 56 runs.

West Indies played New Zealand for the first time in the 1952 two test series in New Zealand and won 1-nil under Goddard after they had lost 4-1 to Australia in

Kanhai & Sobers in 1968.

Sir Clyde Walcott sweeps.

Sir Frank Worrell greets Queen Elizabeth 11 at the UWI campus in Trinidad in February 1966.

1951/52.

25 YEARS OF WEST INDIES CRICKET West Indies, under Stollmeyer, celebrated their first 25 years in test cricket with a 1-0 win over India in the five-test series at home before drawing 2-all in the 5test series against England in 1954 in the Caribbean.

The 1953 series was the first time India had played in the Caribbean and Polly Umrigar (130) scored the first century by an Indian in the West Indies in the first test in Trinidad. Weeks (207) and Bruce Pairaudeau (115) posted centuries in the West Indies reply as the game ended in a draw.

West Indies won the second test in Barbados with Ramadhin and Valentine picking up six wickets each in the game.

Bajan Dennis Atkinson took over the captaincy and lost the 1955 home series to Australia 3-nil although Sir Clyde Walcott scored five centuries in the series, including tons in both innings of the second and fifth tests.

West Indies beat New Zealand 3-1 in their 4-test series in New Zealand in 1956 with Weeks blasting three centuries in the series.

England, with the home advantage, beat West Indies 3-1 in the 5-test series in 1957 when Kanhai made his debut as a Wicket-Keeper.

In 1958 Pakistan (who had separated from India to form their own Islamic nation) played the West Indies for the first time and Garry Alexander led the West Indies to a 3-1 victory in the five-test series.

The third test in Jamaica saw three records being set.

Garfield Sobers, later knighted ‘Sir’ scored a record 365 (his 1st test century) and got support from Conrad Hunt (260) as the West Indies declared at 790-3. The Bajan pair added 447 for the second wicket after Rohan Kanhai was dismissed for 25 at 87-1.

While Sobers’ record was broken 36 years later by Brian Lara, the 790-3 still remains West Indies’ highest total and the second wicket partnership is still a West Indies record.

In 1958/59 West Indies won the 5-test series in India 3-nil with Kanhai hitting 256 in the third test at the Eden Gardens in Calcutta before being run out for 99 in the next match. His third-test score is still the highest by a West Indian in India. Three

We s t I n d i a n s s c o r e d centuries in the same innings of the third and fifth tests with Joe Solomon registering his only test hundred in the final test with 100 not out.

Later in 1959, West Indies toured Pakistan and lost the 3-test series 2-1 with Kanhai making 217 in the last test which the West Indies won by an innings and 156 runs.

CALYPSO CRICKET CHANGES UNDER WORRELL The 1960/61 series to Australia marked a new era in West Indies cricket as the players became true professionals.

Style, flair, aggression and showmanship have always been, and most likely will always be a part of West Indies cricket. However, Sir Frank Worrell, arguably the best of all West Indian skippers, made his players understand that they were role models and that success was important.

Until 1960, the West Indies captain was always a ‘white’ as social and racial discrimination was still alive in the West Indies, although Slavery had been abolished for over a century. Status and skin colour played an important role in the sociological and economical aspects of life in the British West Indies and although outstanding non-white players were accepted because of their talent.

Outside of cricket they were still considered inferior citizens.

While Headley led the West Indies in a solitary test in 1948, Walcott became the first black captain for a full series and soon became the players’ skipper during his three-year reign as leader.

Lloyd, who later became the most successful leader of any test side, had this to say about Worrell:

“Worrell cultivated a new attitude to the problems of West Indian cricket. There was insularity, the call for arithmetical representation from each territory, there was prejudice and there was a lack of confidence that the general and particular methods of selection guaranteed that the best talent emerged.

“The social distinction between amateurs and professionals still held sway.

But the onerous problem was how to provide dept and continuity to a system based on week-end cricket. I suppose these problems have not all been satisfactorily solved, but Frank Worrell took us a long way on the road of solution,” Lloyd explained.

Cricket is not just a game to West Indians. It represents our hopes and aspirations, our joys and sorrows, our yesterdays and tomorrows.

Deeds on the cricket field become our landmarks in history.

Worrell insisted that his team played as a unit and not f o r i n d i v i d u a l g l o r y, something the West Indies had been guilty of since their first test match. Discipline, commitment and professionalism were key elements of Walcott’s’ leadership. He was above all respected by the players and won nine of his 15 test as captain to earn a sixty percent victory rate, the best

among all West Indies skippers.

Worrell died in 1967 after suffering from Leukemia. He paved the way for leaders like Lloyd to build on as the West Indies became the most professional, exciting, complete and invincible side for almost two decades.

Worrell scored nine centuries from 51 tests and captured 69 wickets. He was also the first West Indies captain to win every match in a five-test series when India lost 5-nill in 1962.

“My aim was always to see West Indies molded from a rabble of brilliant island individualists into a real team-and I’ve done it,” These were Worrell’s words after his final tour of England in 1963. He had changed the image of West Indies cricket forever.

Sobers, the best allrounder the world has ever seen, was given the captaincy for the 1965 Australia series but just managed nine wins in 39 matches as skipper before making way for Rohan Kanhai to become the first Windies skipper of East Indian decent in 1973.

The 1960 5-test home series against England was won 1-nil by the visitors although Sobers scored three hundreds in the series including 226 in the first in Barbados when Worrell made an unbeaten 197.

Belgian federation in UEFA talks over...

From page 55 which will also present its recommendations and aims to “preserve Belgium’s European places in the 2020-2021 season”, said the statement.

The statement also reminded UEFA that it had

called for solidarity within European football during the coronavirus crisis and said Bayat had “advocated a flexible approach to this concept, which allows the specific circumstances of each league to be taken into account.”

Kaieteur News

Sunday April 05, 2020

PAGE 59

At least I can be Wimbledon champion for two years, says Halep (Reuters) imon Halep is trying to look on the bright side regarding the suspension of the tennis season due to the coronavirus pandemic, which means at least she will be referred to as reigning Wimbledon champion for two years.

The Romanian former world number produced a flawless performance to beat Serena Williams in last year’s final but this week’s cancellation of the grasscourt Grand Slam means she will not get to defend her title this summer.

Halep, 28, is currently back in her native Romania where she has been locked down at home for 22 days, only popping out briefly to jog around the grounds of her residence.

Asked about the

S

Wimbledon cancellation, announced on Wednesday, Halep told Eurosport’s Tennis Legends vodcast: “I take it positively, because I am now the defending champion for two years. So, I have to live with that for one more year so that’s a good thing again.

“I am excited that I will be able to play the first match on (the) Tuesday I think on Centre Court.

So, I really want to make this experience. It’s going to be great for sure.”

The WTA Tour and ATP Tour have been shut down until the middle of July, at least, but Halep is geared up for a longer suspension of the season, possibly the whole year.

“I know that the worst scenario in my head is that this year is going to be canceled and, yeah, I’m sure we’re going to overcome this

period if we listen and stay home safely,” she said.

“For the moment, I think it’s going to be longer than July. We hope for the U.S. Open (scheduled for Aug. 31 to Sept, 13) but it’s not sure because New York is struggling now.”

LOTS OF SLEEP After so many years jetsetting around the globe, Halep said the enforced time off from the Tour had been welcome in some respects, even if the circumstances were dreadful.

“It’s the longest period that I haven’t touched a racket. Not the ball, the racket — since Dubai,” she said. “And I want to keep it that way for one more month.

“I just kept it very safe because I am a little bit scared about it. And I just want to stay chilled. I wake up at around 10 or 11. It’s

Belgian federation in UEFA talks over end to its season

Philippe Clement’s Club Brugge would become Belgian champions is the Pro League ends now, but they might not be allowed into the Champions League. (AFP / Franck Fife)

A

FP - The Belgian F o o t b a l l Association ( U R B S FA ) a n n o u n c e d yesterday that it is working w i t h U E FA t o w a r d a “constructive” solution regarding the premature end t o t h e B e l g i a n championship.

O n T h u r s d a y, t h e Belgian Pro League recommended that the season be declared finished due to the coronavirus pandemic with the present table accepted as final. It became the first European league to propose such a measure, though others could follow.

On Friday, the governing body of European football

(UEFA), in a joint statement with the European Club Association and the European Leagues, warned that “abandoning domestic competitions is, at this stage, premature and not justified”.

UEFA threatened to ban all teams from European competitions next season if they did not complete their league season.

The URBSFA released a statement yesterday saying that its president, Mehdi Bayat, had spoken to the president of the governing body of European football, Aleksander Ceferin.

The statement did not specify the nature of this “jointly” negotiated solution, saying only that the

Belgian association would present the UEFA executive committee with its “recommendations for stopping its championship”.

The Pro League board’s voted unanimously on Thursday to advise its general assembly not to resume the 2019-2020 first division campaign.

Club Brugge, who are 15 points clear with 11 matches to play, would become Belgian champions.

The AGM is expected to ratify this decision on 15 April but its board will present the proposal to U E FA’ s e x e c u t i v e committee.

The Belgian federation, (Continued on page 54)

Simona Halep (ROU) poses with her trophy after defeating Serena Williams (USA) in the women’s singles final on day 12 at the All England Lawn and Croquet Club. (Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo) very good to have a lot of sleep.

“No alarm clock, no schedule, so I just wake up. I have a late breakfast and then I do some running here in the complex. Because we are allowed to do it, it’s a private residence.

“In the house I work on

my core and my other exercises. So, every day I am working and I feel fit yes.”

Halep said that while she missed her job, it was right that sport had faded into the background at a time of global crisis.

“It’s just a world problem

and I just want to say that it’s safer that everything got canceled. It’s not a small p r o b l e m , i t ’s a h u g e problem. And we just have to listen to what they say, to stay home and being very safe,” she said.

“Tennis is not everything in my life.”

Black Caps Windies tour “most unlikely”, says NZC chief executive

A

UCKLAND, New Zealand, CMC – New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White says the Black Caps tour of West Indies in July is now “most unlikely” especially with the country currently into day e i g h t o f a f o u r- w e e k lockdown, and the deadly coronavirus pandemic continuing to engulf the globe.

Speaking to media here Friday, White said series against Netherlands, Scotland and Ireland were also in doubt because of the COVID-19 virus which has already infected over a million people worldwide (Continued on page 51)

New Zealand and West Indies are scheduled to clash in a white-ball series in the Caribbean.

GMR&SC makes contribution to GPHC to help in fight against Covid-19.

rt Spo

CWI President talks about his first year in office

GMR&SC doing their part in COVID-19 fight Bryant heads 2020 Hall of Fame honorees

CWI President Ricky Skerritt

FIFA rules on Olympic men’s soccer tournament age eligibility

Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant was named to the 2020 Hall of Fame yesterday three months after this death in a helicopter crash.

(Getty Images North America/AFP/File/Harry How)

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